The Art of War

“If he waits for the ideal moment, he will never set off; he requires a touch of madness to take the next step. The warrior uses that touch of madness. For - in both love and war - it is impossible to foresee everything.”
Paulo Coelho

Cornwall was the perfect escape for a weekend, with its brisk days and cool nights. The green wasn't quite as lush as her last visit, but it still clung despite the bursts of red from nearby trees. The promise of autumn arrived like little fires everywhere—a mirror to their current predicament. Things had been going well, perhaps too well. In their attempts to juggle everything, they left his goal to give her time. Time that now felt as though it trickled out of their joined hands.

Perhaps they were searching into natural cycles too much. Ancient methods to calculate time and space, to harmonize the push and pull of life around them. As though quantifying it could unlock the secrets to breaking with the cycles they indiscriminately hold.

Forever was a long time, the likes he felt no man could truly quantify. What would anything mean without the race against time? He didn't want to find out. Instead, he refused to count the minutes and hours that escaped them like the sad in an hourglass, ticking towards their grand finale. A stark contrast to the celebration at hand. Another spin around the brightest star and another year added to his wife's age. In a sense, it was a victory. One more year she could add to her tally in survival. A tally he was constantly catching up to. Would he make it as well? It was hard to tell.

"Is there anything you'd like to do while we're here?" he asked. The whole point was to celebrate her, and though he certainly had ideas and plans, he would adapt to her needs. Anything they might have needed had been brought to the house or stocked in wait for their arrival. Gently, he helped her out of her cloak and handed it to the expectant butler before doing the same with his.

As he helped her out of her cloak, she offered a small smile. Her moods were regulating again after a week of readjusting to balance them, but that also left her feeling guilty over the fact that it was her lack of control that had left her friend in this predicament. His friend as well. She didn't know Theo well enough to guess what he'd do; at the end of this weekend, they'd know one way or the other. It was hard not to dread it. Especially when she knew that what she had said to Draco before would stand: if he killed Harry, she'd never forgive him.

Which felt like more of a loss than she thought it would after he looked after her. He couldn't comfort her in the way she wanted to be comforted, but he tried his best. She had to give him some credit for that, didn't she? Every couple had their issues. At least neither of them had lied to each other for the entirety of a relationship, and now they couldn't lie to each other ever again.

"I'd like to walk the beach one of the nights that we're here. Properly enjoy the fresh air...see the stars," she said, squeezing his hand lightly as she swallowed down a little anxiety at what she projected to him. ...More practice with the smoke.

Head tilting towards the side, he studied her at the request, though he didn't respond to it otherwise. It was shocking, not exactly something she enjoyed, and if he were being honest, not something he had planned to revisit for some time, especially with how things had been playing out. "Might be chilly," he offered with a small smile instead.

If she wanted to learn, he would continue to teach her. He was in trouble either way. Until then, he would shower her with lavish gifts as befitted a Malfoy. Extending a hand, he smiled. "Come darling," he invited her to follow him. "We can start with a drink. Then I can show you to the library. I doubt you made it there on your last visit," he eyed her with amusement. He imagined the girls had kept her busy.

A bit of a smile curved her lips, and she offered a slight shrug. "I'm no stranger to it being cold. The difference is I have a rather dashing husband to warm me up after," she half teased, making light of it the best she could. Trying to ignore the dread that sat in her stomach. Taking his hand, she smiled a little bit more as she walked along with him.

"You're not wrong. I didn't even glimpse it the last time I was here. Pansy and Daphne ensured I always had a drink, that they had someone come to pamper me and help with my hair, and that we could gossip. Almost felt normal," she chuckled with a shake of her head as she laced their fingers together. It was oddly comforting and reassuring that whatever was on the horizon after this weekend, they wouldn't face it alone.

"Glad you had such a memorable time and, apparently, quite the doting husband," he grinned. He certainly enjoyed that teasing note to her voice. It was odd when she had kind things to say about him. He liked to think he wasn't a bad husband. He'd watched his father enough to know what was expected, and perhaps that wasn't meant to be turned on the likes of Hermione, but he didn't care. She was his. He enjoyed taking care of her, flaunting her.

"It was rather enjoyable. A brilliant idea for my bachelorette party from my husband," she murmured. Praising him for things he had done was easier than just praising him as a person. If only because there was so much history.

He led her to the side room and motioned to the dry bar. She walked into the room with him and eyed the bar.

"And what would you like?" he asked gently.

"Old fashioned." Going to liquor wasn't the best idea, not that she particularly cared. It was her birthday, after all. Too many times, she was expected to have bubbly or a daintier drink. She could drink whiskey just like her husband could.

He nodded, setting himself to work at her request, muddling bitters and sugars to create her concoction of choice. Once done, he handed it over to her before building himself a flaming crystal tumbler of firewhiskey. He let the flames dance blue a spell before putting them out.

"Cheers to you," he held his glass up for cheers. This weekend was all about her. He wished he could give her more time, but between the reality of their situation and what had occurred with Theo, he couldn't risk any more.

Taking the glass, she waited till he was done with his drink for himself. Drinking alone on her birthday wasn't exactly what she wanted to do. Lifting her glass in the air to mimic him, she smiled a bit more, softer and a bit more genuine for the first time since the conflict in the kitchen. "To another year," she said simply before taking a long drink from the glass.

It tasted delicious. Not having alcohol that was so low quality it was almost paint thinner was still something she enjoyed more than she would have thought. "So, do you have ideas on how to celebrate your wife that you plan to share, or is it all going to be a surprise since I picked the location?"

"I was thinking of a tour ending at the library. Give us time to unwind before dinner," he sipped his drink. "I was hoping to warm you up after," he continued with a bit of a side smile. "Tomorrow being your actual birthday, I scheduled a spa day, followed by a trip to the local bookshop, and then," he paused to gauge her reaction. "We can take that walk; wait for night to practice your flying," he eyed her. She looked good. Part of him wanted to skip everything and march her straight to bed. "There will be cake and presents in there somewhere," he added. He couldn't tell her everything.

"A tour ending in the library does sound lovely. Might find a new book to read while I'm here...Warming me up after wouldn't be unwelcome at all," she chuckled. While she had enjoyed the gentler touches, she had missed more of that heat. Even if he was fine with making their room look like a crime scene, she hadn't been. She had a feeling eventually that might change. All of that sounded quite lovely, and she couldn't help but smile. "Sounds perfect. Best be prepared to carry quite a few books...There are so many I want for enjoyment alone."

Normally, he'd have claimed a house elf could do the carrying, but with a full muggle staff, that wasn't quite accurate. "Nothing a few charms can't handle, dear," he reminded, amused. Sometimes, he swore she forgot she was the brightest witch of their generation that a stack of books would be a problem. He'd still carry them for her, so perhaps she was onto something. He took a sip of his drink and motioned to a loveseat. They finally had time to sit and enjoy themselves for a change..

Hermione didn't forget she was a witch, but carrying the books for her was still much more satisfying. Always had been. Even if she sometimes carried them in her charmed bags. Sipping at her drink, she closed the distance between them and sat beside him on the loveseat, her leg pressing into his. A proper birthday celebration. It felt so strange. The last time she celebrated more than just having a card and a gift sent to her probably was three years ago with Harry and Ron. A reward for a job well done.

His gaze remained on her features, enjoying the shimmer of joy in her gaze, the soft slopes of her cheeks, the dip of her cupid’s bow. As pleasant as it was to watch her cry and beg, he didn’t dislike this aspect either. The ease and comfort she fell into, knowing he would take care of every last one of her needs.

The way he watched her as if he was committing all of her features to memory nearly had her blush. She didn't comment on it as she took another sip of her drink. She blinked a few times at that and put down her drink.

“I have something for you,” he said, reaching into his breast pocket—a small black box with a silver bow holding it together. “I have some making up to do,” he added. He hadn’t had as much free time to have things made for her.

Taking the box, she untied the silver bow and started to open the box. "Were you intending to gift me more than you had during our engagement?"

"Is it a problem if I were?" he asked, amusement sparkling in his steel gaze. He wondered if she would ever get used to being showered in gifts. Part of him hoped he did so in a manner that always kept her from getting used to it.

He draped his free arm over the couch to lean closer to her. "This isn't the most exciting one of the weekend, but since we'll be crossing the study next..." he smirked. Inside was a proper Malfoy crest seal with a minor tweak made to show it came from her.

"No, just a little unexpected. I don't think you've gifted me anything since our honeymoon. Though we have been busy," she murmured as she leaned in a little closer to him as she opened the box. There were subtle changes to the Malfoy crest that had a slightly softer touch, making it clear to others that it was the Mrs writing them. And she could already tell that there was nothing clinging to this one. He couldn't hurt or curse her unless she allowed it.

"It's lovely. And I do suppose I did need my own...." she planned on starting to donate to a few charitable organizations and schools creating magical programs along with their Alma mater. There was a lot she could be doing.

"Hence the catching up," he watched over her shoulder as she unboxed the item. A familiar sight and yet different all the same. He nodded. She would need one of her own, even more so after his final gift of the weekend.

Once he finished his drink, he set it on the nearest accent table and settled in closer. As much as he might have gone for another drink, he didn't want to feel vulnerable. Not when they could face his master's wrath at any given moment. He wouldn't allow himself to not be at his peak. He'd give her an entire weekend to do as she pleased and let off as much steam as she wanted.

"I see...this a Wizarding high society expectation or just a you standard?" She couldn't help but ask as her fingers traced the seal, studying the craftsmanship of it. It was lovely. And she had missed writing letters and things. Not that she really had anyone that she could write to besides Pansy and Daphne. Perhaps she did need to make a few more friends.

Putting the present down, she picked up her drink and took another sip even as she settled in against him. Taking in a slow breath, she rested her head on his shoulder. "Thank you...for giving me the weekend."

"Don't thank me until it's over," he rested his head against hers. His mark was always a liability to have him summoned. It could end before it even began. He refused to give in to those thoughts but braced himself for the worst. "It's one of the few expectations from my family I always appreciated. A wizard should take care of his witch," he brushed his fingertips to her shoulder, enjoying their proximity.

Rolling her eyes, she turned her head carefully to nip at his jaw. "I'll thank you when I damn well please to," she teased just a little. "The thought counts for something. If a factor out of your control takes you away, I can manage." But she hoped that it wouldn't. They'd been 'behaving' as far as that man was aware. The other Death Eaters directly under Draco's command were all working, and as far as He was aware, they were still researching. "You do a pretty good job of taking care of me a lot of the time."

He wanted to believe her, but that push and pull between them was constant. At least she seemed to draw closer more often than not of late. Thoughts might count for her, but Draco was fond of action. Thoughts only went so far. "I plan to take good care of you for as long as I can this weekend," he leaned in to press a kiss to her temple.

A small smile curved her lips at that gentle kiss before she took the last sip of her drink and sat it down. She believed his plans and intentions when it came to her more than she didn't. He needed her to help with his plans; he was more attached to her than he had wanted or planned to be and wanted her at least more than she would have expected. Maybe he figured it would happen eventually. Since this started, he hadn't gone out of his way to try and harm her or hurt her in any way, even emotionally. She could acknowledge that at least to herself. "Don't say that too loud. Might jinx your own plans, darling."

"Perhaps I should have you bring your drink to the next room; make sure you at least get a proper tour," he retorted, his lips perking in a bit of a smile. She was different than he'd envisioned. When he'd wrangled her into his plan, he hadn't imagined having the interaction they had. "I could carry you," he nipped up the side of her throat from her shoulder to her jaw.

"Well...that one is finished. Encouraging me to have another?" She teased a bit as she looked up, staying close to him. The nip had her shiver, almost gasping as his teeth brushed her throat. "Trying to go back to carrying me over thresholds?" It was meant teasing but sounded slightly surprised. It wasn't a protest. She wasn't sure she wanted to protest the closeness. Not at the moment.

Draco smirked. "As many as you want," he promised, slipping an arm beneath her legs and cradling her shoulders. "But the more you drink, the more I'll make you pay for it when I finally get to warm you up," he warned. He wouldn't take her to bed drunk, or rather, he would, but he wouldn't enjoy her fully until she sobered. "Let me take you to the study," he announced, picking her up.

Hermione blushed again as he moved to get ready to pick her up. Raising a brow at that, she seemed to consider it momentarily. "Good pay for it or bad pay for it?" She needed to know what she was in for. It would dictate her entire evening, after all. As he picked her up, her arms looped around his neck and laughed. "Well, if you insist."

"Mmmm I'd deny you what you wanted until you were in a condition to appreciate it," he breathed into her ear. Just the thought of making her beg had him consider such an evening sometime. Perhaps their next Hogwarts event. It seemed as good as any when it came to excessive drinking. "Last chance," he offered, taking a step forward.

"Would you truly deny me?" She asked, batting her lashes at him as she tried not to shiver. Oh, she knew he would. Memories of the night he'd insisted she not fall apart so he could taste her as she did that replayed in her head. It had her shiver. At that last chance, she drew her wand and used magic to make herself another old-fashioned and summoned the glass to her hand. She took a sip, keeping one arm looped around his neck. "I won't complain about you carrying me."

"Not now, you won't," he chuckled as she refreshed her drink. It seemed she was playful today, which was good considering the next few gifts he had lined up for her. "Might sing a different tune for me later," he practically purred the words. Oh, he'd enjoy making her beg for it. With her against his chest, he walked her out and down a hall towards the study. It was smaller than the one at the manor but still well stocked.

"I wouldn't have complained without the drink," she countered before nipping at his jaw lightly. "At least not right now," she admitted. What was he going to give her next? And what different tune might she be singing? That purr was almost ominous, but it sent another shiver down her spine as she tried not to think too in detail about what he was likely promising her. Looking at the study, she relaxed even further. Books. They were always her solace.

Careful to keep her steady, he brought her down to the ground without spilling her drink. "I left you a present on the desk," he nipped her ear playfully and smoothed a hand down her side. He didn't want to get ahead of himself, but he also didn't want to make her feel like they absolutely had to wait for the night to do what she pleased. At least to an extent.

On the desk sat another black box, a longer one this time. It was thinner than the last in height and width. Similar to a box that might house a necklace, though it had no such item inside.

Carefully stepping away from him once she was put on her feet, she took a sip of her old-fashioned to suppress a shiver at his touches. It was impossible not to react to him. Something that she couldn't help even if she tried. And damn her, she had tried a few times. Wanting him felt like it was getting ingrained in her psyche at this point.

Going over to the desk, she set the glass down and carefully opened the box. She had expected a necklace, but instead? A lovely bookmark that looked like it was made of stars. The surface of it changed, and yet it felt as soft as velvet. And enchantment on it made it so it would form to the perfect size to mark the entire page with just enough of it poking out to let her now where her place was. Her star sign was the primary constellation on it.

"Oh, this is lovely..."

"It's a special bookmark," he drew closer to her, casually walking with a hand in his pocket. "I know you enjoy those naughty little books of yours," he crooned in her ear, his free hand settling on her hip, fingers curling against her pelvic bone. He raised it to offer her his hand palm up. "I can show you what else it does if you'd like?" He would give her the choice. They had time to explore the many uses of her latest bookmark.

"More special than simply having my star sign moving across it?" She asked with a quirked brow, even as she leaned into him a little as he approached her. Plucking the bookmark from its box, she placed it into his open palm. "I would. Always better to know what my gifts can do after all," she responded, a slight jab about the bracelet when she had first agreed to be his betrothed, but it was said so lightly that it was almost playful.

Taking the length of craft leather, he held one end on the bookmark and reached around to guide her wrists closer. "If you place it here like this," he explained, opening the length of starry night to expose a soft blue middle. "Then I can do this," he laced it over her wrists and slipped it through the metal end to secure her. "In case you ever want to draw my attention to a chapter you've been enjoying," he taunted in a silk tone.

As he used the bookmark to bind her wrists like that, she blushed a little more deeply. Of course, there were many more applications for things that he was gifting her than what was just on the surface. Just like their very relationship. "Mmm. I see...I do enjoy gifts that serve more than one purpose," she admitted, not trying to wiggle her wrists out of the restraint. The soft material that pressed to her wrists was nice, making sure it wouldn't dig as hard into her wrists as other things might.

"Much like your creativity in the field," he commended. She'd been a force to be reckoned with. You never knew what Hermione would pull in a duel. She didn't follow the rules of engagement. Not the way his master did, and it was that sort of strategy he had spent years studying. Now, she was at his side and eager to bring forth her knowledge in his quest. Just as gently as he'd tied her up, he slipped the leather out of the metal buckle, taking his time to release her.

"I'm so glad you noticed. So few people appreciated my willingness to be flexible in the field." After one year of fighting on the run when Hogwarts fell, the rules hardly mattered anymore. They were guidelines meant to help keep some atrocities from happening. And they had already happened. Her wrists stayed relaxed, not testing the strength of his gift. She knew better. For it to be considered Malfoy-quality it would have to be able to handle any of her struggling. She kissed his jaw as he slowly removed the bookmark from her wrists.

Returning it to its original format, he handed it back to her. It'd been tempting to leave her tied up and take her into the next set of doors leading to the library. He'd had the staff create shelf space for her so she could add her own books. The manor was next with expansion, but that was a surprise for another time. He'd seen her enjoy perusing bookstores when they'd been out and about. He knew that she would require more shelf space than he currently had. "So few appreciate artistry when they see it. Shall we continue our tour?"

Taking the bookmark, she kept a hold of this gift. Especially if they would have a chance to grab some of the books. She chuckled as she picked back up her drink and took a slow sip. "Am I walking, or are you carrying me?" She teased lightly. It felt...odd to tease him like this. To casually flirt with her husband. She should be more distant from him than ever, and yet...this was nice

"And how would you like to make your way there, darling?" he asked, stepping to face her, their bodies close. There was more than one way to carry his wife through the house. Just standing before her, he could think of a few. It almost made him regret not keeping her bound tighter than some of the books in the nearby room. "This is your weekend," he reminded playfully.

"That depends...how thorough of a tour are you planning on giving me?" She asked, trying not to let her gaze drop to his lips. That damn chemistry of theirs was magnetic, even when there should be a million other things she was worried about. She traced her fingers along his arm with a bit more of a smile. "Besides...curious about what you planned."

"Mostly the parts I think you'll enjoy," he responded easily. "Allows room for...divergence," he smirked. He knew better than to make plans involving his wife that didn't account for her own twist to his ideas. Even when they were on the same page she had a way of taking some form of control and altering his plans. She might not feel that way, but he certainly had noticed, and adapted.

"Hmmm. Well...you did tease about carrying me....but I think I'll hold off on that until you're ready to warm me up. Don't want to derail your tour and gifting order too much." She was a willful woman, and she knew it. Demanding and pushy at the best of times. But she would attempt to let him spoil her the way he had planned. It had her focus on what new twists and turns this would take. She doubted she could anticipate everything he had planned.

"Tease? It was merely an offer," he reminded, his tone holding a hint of warning. "It is your weekend," he slipped his fingers through hers. She could walk for a few meters. He could always carry her for the next stretch of the estate. Leading her out of the study, he guided her to the library where another gift would be awaiting her. Of course, she'd have to find it.

That bit of warning had her raise a brow before she lightly squeezed his hand as he laced their fingers together. "I'll remember the offer if I change my mind, darling," she almost crooned. Walking along with him, her expression lit up a little bit more at the number of books she hadn't had the chance to explore the last time she was here. She probably would have holed up here the entirety of her bachelorette party if she had known. "You do know so well what I'd enjoy...."

Her croons were music to his ears, but not as much as the joy she seemed to hold from the room he brought her in. "I left you some shelves to fill as you please," he breathed into her ear, keeping her close before allowing her to peruse at leisure. Slowly, he unlaced their fingers, smoothing down her back before pausing just above her rear. "Go, though, do call me when you find your present," he smirked.

Her gaze swept over the library, scanning over the titles. The empty spaces she could see on the shelves had her itching to get to a few of the bookstores and fill those shelves with books of history, theory, and fiction at her leisure. If he kept letting her run wild with the books, they would probably nearly double their collection of books. The feeling of his hand had her shiver, almost pressing back into his touch. "You hid my next one in the library?" She asked with a raised brow, looking at him with a brighter and more open smile before she continued into the room to try and find it.

At her question, he grinned and found a seat in a plush armchair. "I have," he smiled devilishly her way. That glow on her features made watching her peruse the room even more worth it. Getting comfortable, he followed her with his gaze. She truly was in her element among the books.

As she walked among the bookshelves, she let her fingers trail over the spines, committing some of the interesting titles to memory. She picked one or two off the shelves while searching for this gift of hers. Was it a book? It couldn't be that simple. It wasn't like she would know which books were part of this collection and which weren't.

She was so close to the box he’d set out for her. The same black and silver as the previous two. Shifting in his seat, he kept his sights on her. Anticipation and excitement rushing through him as he studied her. The way she caressed book spines with reverence—the kind of touch he enjoyed from her against his skin.

Any spine that shone or was wrapped in leather, her fingers lingered a moment or two longer before she moved on. She had four books in her arms, going to mark them to read the next time she was here. She doubted her husband would give her much time to read with whatever it was he had planned. Finding the silver and black box, she picked it up, tracing her fingers along the ribbon before walking back to see Draco more easily.

"Found it. May I go ahead and open it? Since you wanted me to tell you when I found it."

Seeing her with four tomes had him hold back a chuckle. He was honestly impressed by her restraint. Or perhaps finding the latest box had done that. Not questioning it, he motioned her forward, tapping his lap. He wanted her close when she opened it. He’d debated where to give her the necklace, but after everything, this seemed the most appropriate place.

Unlike her younger self, she showed no shame at grabbing up the books she was interested in. Balancing the box on top, she walked back over to him and set the books down on the side table nearby. Sitting in his lap, she pulled the ribbon on this one and opened the box. How many of her gifts would serve a dual purpose?

Draco kissed her back as she revealed the silver Venetian link necklace with an infinity symbol dangling out of a delicate rose outline highlighted with diamonds. There was no way to slip the chain out, the glistening infinity too large to fit back through the double-layered inner five petals and five outer petals. Most would see it as a white rose and its meaning, but the few who knew better would see it for what it was. The battles and mutual understanding it brought forth with a reminder of nobility. He wouldn’t have the likes of McLaggen forget her status as his lady.

Hermione relaxed under that kiss, a soft sigh leaving her lips before her eyes widened. Brushing a finger along the diamonds of the rose, she was awe-struck by it for a moment. The chain seemed far too long with how it looped through, not figuring out exactly what it was for yet. But she lifted it out of the box by the delicate-looking rose. It was sturdy in her hand, and she was trying to find the words for it. The reminder of nobility was not lost on her. By marrying into the Malfoy family, she had ties to the British nobility. "It's gorgeous. When did you have this made?" It had to be a custom piece. She couldn't imagine him selecting from already existing offerings.

“Not too long ago,” he purred. After their return from Hogwarts, he knew exactly what to order from his jeweller. Slipping away hadn’t been easy, but he’d expedited the order. Giving the chain leeway, he helped her place it over her head and loosely settled it. The rose settled tastefully on her chest while the infinity tucked itself down the cleft of her breasts. “Beautiful,” he kissed her cheek gently, enjoying the proximity.

The sound of his voice in that tone had a tendril of heat roll through her body. She carefully moved her hair to help with placing the necklace. Once it was properly situated, she smoothed a hand over it gently. Almost turning to catch his lips with her own, she looked up at him with a smile. "You really are playing catch up with your gifting, aren't you?"

“Shouldn’t I?” His fingers trailed the silver chain beside her neck, following down to the rose to trace it. He had to swallow down not to show her just what all it did. “You’ve been my good witch,” he murmured against her ear, nipping the shell and sucking in her lobe. Fuck she tasted good. So good. Too good. His fingers continued their descent against the chain, disappearing into the fabric, brushing against the silk of her bra.

A shiver rolled down her spine, sending sparks of warmth through her body at every brush of his fingers along her skin. A soft gasp left her lips as she leaned back into him, almost grinding her hips against him. His touch was lighting a fire in her all over again and tempted her to let him keep touching, especially if she'd been good.

Her lithe body arched like a cat, the base of her neck meeting his shoulder as she indulged in his attention. The way she nearly rolled her hips on his thigh made him groan under his breath. "And what kind of reads have you selected, my darling?" he asked to distract himself from losing himself in the moment, index tracing the diamond-incrusted infinity tucked between her breasts. They were bound forevermore.

The way she could feel the warmth of his skin, helping warm up the chain against her skin, had her relaxing into him more. Keeping still in his lap, she glanced over at the tower of books. "One is about more ancient fables in the UK available to wizarding society, one on magical theory, one account of Merlin, and one on the history and development of the ministry. Even if it outdated," she explained, trying to focus on what she had picked up than the feeling of his fingers against her skin.

He'd half hoped she'd have gone for something more entertaining, but then he knew these were likely what she felt were light reads. His finger paused, pressing inside the bottom hole of her infinity symbol. "I do so enjoy your dedication," he breathed against her heated skin. That last one was research, and it was such a shame she was trying to push such a thing while meant to enjoy herself. "I want you to wear this necklace when we attend functions," he added, moving his finger down in a straight line across her abdomen, the rose slowly rising as he reached into her blouse. He'd be stopped by her skirt's edge soon enough, but he'd ensure the chain would only snake down to her navel.

"I'm finding you enjoy a lot of things about me," she murmured, feeling his finger slowly drawing further down as he seemed to grasp that infinity symbol. The chain of the necklace seemed to shift slowly, closing more around her neck as he trailed his finger down, down. Goosebumps spread over her arms, and she had to focus and stay still. "Hadn't found any interesting novels before I found your gift," she admitted with just a hint of cheek. But she could guess at why he wanted her to wear this particular necklace to functions. "At every function we attend?"

"Unless you rather I engage in duels because apparently, the ring on your finger doesn't suffice in reminding others they're beneath you," he spoke with a soft velvet tone. She was his wife, and if that didn't suffice to strike fear in the morons of higher society, he'd remind them of their place, as well as hers. McLaggen would serve as an example.

"And what if it doesn't match my outfit?" She drawled with that bit of cheek, turning her head to look over her shoulder and up at him with a hint of that playfulness in her gaze. It was easier to just indulge in this than to overthink everything that would happen when they returned to the manor.

Pausing at its most taut, he smiled as he met her gaze. "I could get you a pretentious choker next," he nipped at her jaw. Slowly, he pulled out of her blouse, tracing her with a feather-light touch. Her skin was like warm silk, so soft and decadent. Leaning in, he nipped at her lower lip, touching her cheek to keep her in place as he pulled her into an all-consuming kiss.

Feeling the press of that rose against her throat and how it lightly dug into her skin, her breath almost hitched. "Mmmm, but that still might not match what I wear, darling," she murmured as his hand trailed back up her chest. The nip had her shiver, and before she could nip back, his lips were on hers, and she kissed him back, melting into him again. One of her hands trailed up his arm, caressing over his shoulder before going into his hair.

She could make it work, even if he had to curse the seamstress they had hostage to ensure every last piece matched her latest gift. Instead, he kissed her, reminding her of who owned every breath she took into her lungs. His hand weaved through her curls, gripping them at the base of her skull to keep her in place, to stop her from surfacing for air until he willed it.

Those kisses had her pressing closer, clutching him just like he clutched at her. All she wanted was more of him. The feeling of his body against hers was a comfort, one that she didn't want to like as much as she did. One she didn't want to fall into like this every time he touched her like this but it was like a spell all its own.

Draco kept her at that angle, kissing, claiming, devouring her mouth. As if the meeting of lips, tongue, and teeth could suffice to remind her who she belonged to. As though they could sate his desires that he had planned to keep in check. They seemed to have a thing for libraries, though. He wondered if it was her or if it was one of his own sexual intricacies.

Hermione could hardly breathe with how he was kissing her. As if her mouth was air and he needed it to function, needed her to breathe and exist. As much as it reminded her who she belonged to, it also reminded her that he was also hers. She could get this man onto his knees, and while she had no idea if she could ever make him beg as he did her, she was starting to realize that perhaps she had a little more power than she thought. With a muffled moan, she nipped at his bottom lip just a touch harder.

Slowly, he pulled back to look at her lips, as if they had offended him with that nip. He hadn't forgotten that she had asked to be in control for one night, though he certainly wouldn't allow it if she continued drinking. His lioness didn't need liquid courage for that. "Are we planning on being naughty today, darling?" he asked, meeting her gaze. If she'd found his lips consuming, his silver hues were trained on her with a primitive need. One that only she ever seemed to pull out of him. Where he might be in control in most aspects of their lives, she did have power over him, and it grew with every passing day.

She laughed at the look he gave her lips, starting to smirk a bit more as she met his gaze, her fingers brushing along the back of his neck as they stayed so close. "Mmm, is nipping you naughty? I thought you liked it when I nipped, bit, or clawed you up enough to leave my mark on you...but I suppose I could be wrong," she drawled, even as his look brought blush to her cheeks. Her pulse raced, and heat sparked through her, spreading like a wildfire that was amping up her own desire into a need.

"Only when I'm trying to behave," he responded. He'd hoped keeping control would help him. Every time they were together like this, he swore his very arousal was akin to a dagger stabbing him from the inside out with his desire for her. He should have used her throat in the morning rather than pray a couple sessions in the shower with his hand would suffice to hold him back from everything that was his wife. She was a menace, perhaps even more so since they'd tied the knot. "Perhaps I should equip our libraries to suit your needs..." he taunted.

"Ah, I see. So I should move out of your lap, help with that self-control of yours," she teased, trailing her fingers lightly down his back with that glimmer of mischief. She'd remember just how reactive he was. But she was just as reactive. And hormones had left her wanting even more but more than a little hesitant to make a bigger mess of their room. "My needs? Are you referring to my research habits or the books I read for pleasure?" She shifted in his lap a little more easily so her side was against his chest, one free hand coming up to trace along the chain around her neck.

Draco held her more firmly. "You'll do no such thing," he growled at her, refusing to give her an inch to weasel away from him. At her shift and blatant teasing of him, he relaxed and gave her a wicked closed smile. "I was thinking more of just how much you enjoy being pleasured in libraries. Perhaps I should add some hardware so I can chain you to between the stacks," he purred in her ear. "Might need more than chairs to have my way with you. To make you writhe, and scream, and come all over."

The growl made her gasp softly as she pressed close, her nails lightly pressing into his back through his shirt. That smile built up heat, making her crave more of his touch. Then his wicked descriptions made her tremble just a little. "I'm pretty sure we both enjoyed that...even if you did have me ruin the chair back at the manor." She blushed a brighter shade of red.

"It's my favorite chair now," he leaned so she could hear every dip of his low voice.

"Is it?" She asked with a shiver, hearing his voice lower like that.

"You did so good that day. I get hard just remembering how sweet you tasted on my tongue." The deeper the shade that blossomed on her cheek, the more he wanted to witness it. "How hard you clenched on my fingers with pleasure. I wanted to lap every single drop of you, just to punish you for not leaving that chair as soaked as you were for me..."

The blush lingered in her cheeks, deep red, and her body felt far too warm. The blouse felt too confining and her thighs pressed together a little bit, feeling just how wet she was getting for him again at the memory of it mixing with the shame of just how easily she gave in. "Mmm, pretty sure I couldn't help that. You were just as eager to have me on your tongue as you were for me to soak the chair..."

“I have half a mind to bend you over that table and have you read while I eat you,” he teased. Just thinking about how soaked she’d left that chair made him want to watch her pleasure trickle down her thighs. To know that every step forward on their tour would include her feeling just how good he could make her feel.

Biting down on her bottom lip, she glanced at the books before looking back up at him with a half smile. "Need better books if you're going to attempt that..." It was tempting. He could describe what he wanted to do with her, and she would crave it as much as he seemed to. Escapism made flesh. Easily losing herself in his body, sensation, his voice.

“What kind of book would be considered appropriate then?” He asked, clearly amused by her negotiating this to some extent. Now, he absolutely wanted to go through with it especially when she’d opted for a skirt, which would grant easy access to her.

"Mmm, something more interesting than history. Unless you're intending for me to try and read aloud..." Would she be able to manage that? Probably not. It would have her words quake and she'd be unfocused rather quickly with how he was with that tongue of his.

The slight uncertainty in her features made him shift to deal with the discomfort in his pants. “I think you should definitely read aloud,” he agreed, smoothing over her thigh. “Go find a book to read aloud for me, darling,” he encouraged her to peruse and either gain or lose nerve. Either way, she would be making delicious sounds for him.

That encouragement made her blush deepen all over as it started to cool. Standing up, she smoothed out her skirt, taking a slow, deep breath before she moved to walk the stacks, looking for a title that she could read from. If she could find a book she knew well enough, it wouldn't take nearly as much focus to read it. But perhaps reading would keep her from falling apart too quickly.

She looked even better with her pink-splotched cheeks, and he hadn't even touched her. As she perused the stacks, he eyed her from where he sat, taking a moment before rising with a plump cushion in hand. A cushioning charm only went so far, and it didn't stop any messes from the floor. It seemed fitting to have her potentially leave another seat cushion soaked.

Taking her time, even as anticipation kept her pulse elevated, she picked two suitable books for such an occasion. One was simply titled Crave and seemed to be a tale of obsession and love, while another was titled Shadow of Fortune and followed the path of a marriage contract becoming more. Oddly fitting. Though she didn't like to think of the previous Mrs Malfoy reading these here, she couldn't begrudge anyone's flights of fantasy. She walked back over to the desk, setting down the two books as she glanced over her shoulder at Draco.

Sending the cushion behind her feet with a spell, he took the time to remove his black robes and lay them on the armchair. It wasn't worth stripping off the black corseted vest he had come to prefer. As she got to the table with a set of titles, he walked over to stand a step behind her without stepping on the cushion. "What have you found," he asked with delighted amusement, his fingers brushing the ends of her chestnut curls. A soft motion, he pulled away before slowly rolling up one of his sleeves. He had an entire weekend to enjoy her. This was hardly something to rush.

Part of her wanted to feel his body pressed to hers rather than him simply playing with a few locks of her hair. She could hear the brush of fabric as he rolled up his sleeves. Licking her lips lightly she glanced over her shoulder at him with a bit of a smile and offered a shrug. "A few romance novels. If you're going to have me read aloud, why not have it be something fitting the occasion? Unless you'd rather me rattle of magical theory," she offered, half hoping he would. That would at least give her something more to focus on.

A closed smile remained on his lips as he rolled up his other sleeve, trying not to overthink her statement. "And deny you your desires on your birthday weekend?" he asked with a light laugh. "If you want to read naughty things while I make you moan, I definitely won't deny you the pleasure," he looked her over before taking a knee on the cushion. The pads of his fingers found her ankles and slowly traced up along the outer sides of her legs.

Hermione could feel her heart jumping in her chest as she glanced between the two. Obsession and love or a marriage contract? She'd flip a galleon if she had one on her person, but she simply picked the one about marriage contracts and flipped it open to the first few pages. "It's been a while since I've read something naughty. It might just be tame in comparison now..." Potentially. She couldn't recall what had happened in the last naughty romance novel she had read. Anytime she thought of something naughty, she simply thought of all of the things he had done with her.

His touch trailed up, up, up her legs, pushing up her skirt until it sat on her hips. Silently, he took in the view of her rear and the undergarments she'd chosen to wear for their getaway. He might have been showering her with gifts, but he had always had her to unwrap. His digits traced the edges of her undergarment before palming her arse. Where he had spent his life viewing most women as disposable and unworthy of his affection, she had him thinking he would never grow bored of enjoying her. There were worse fates than the one they'd been given. His left hand smoothed up her inner thigh to reach up and cup her sex, squeezing to feel if he'd affected her the same way she did him.

As the skirt edged higher and higher, she took her time to read the beginning of the book in silence. She'd start reading aloud once he got her knickers off of her. She'd been opting for a lot more black knickers that were as soft silk or satin when she wanted to tease him. And she'd known that it was only a matter of time before they got here before one or both tempted the other. His touch had shivers roll down her spine, and she glanced down at him as he palmed her arse. There wasn't a part of her that he seemed to dislike, it was something she reveled in. As he cupped her core, she tried not to squirm, knowing he'd feel that she was already wet for him, not as soaking as she could get, but very easily on her way there.

Draco squeezed her before sliding his fingers across the silk covering her core. "Good to know you enjoy hearing every indecency I'd like to do to you," he kissed behind her thigh, then reached for the black silk fabric at her hips and tugged them down. He rolled them down her arse and lowered them down to the ground. "Step out of these and spread your legs wider than your hips," he demanded as she casually read over her pages quietly. He'd allow it for now.

"Don't you enjoy it when I say I like what you're doing? Same principle...Plus, you get this tone," she said with a shiver, letting him pull the fabric down without a fight. It had her blushing, but she listened to his demands. Stepping out of her knickers, she spread her legs wider apart than her hips, turning a page in the book casually as she did so.

"A tone?" he asked, using that deeper appeal to his voice she alluded to. He certainly did enjoy every sound she made for him, and he would strive to have her fill the library with that pornographic mouth of hers. "Bend over, Darling," he ordered as he smoothed over her sides.

That deeper drop to his voice had her tremble, another wave of heat rolling through her. "A tone." She repeated with a nod of her head. She bent over, leaning on the desk to keep her attention on that book like he wanted her to. Her heart was hammering, and while there were just the servants in the house, who weren't likely to come in, she felt so exposed like this. At his mercy.

He gripped either side of rear and spread her cheeks to have a good look at her. "Best view in the world," he purred, enjoying her spread for him, on display for him to see just how excited she was for this, for him. Settling on both his knees, he leaned in to lick from her clit to her entrance and a little further before returning to that cluster of nerves to start over again in slow teasing laps.

The blush in her cheeks deepened at that praise, but it made her shiver all the same. She almost gripped the table so she wouldn't try to squirm away as he held her open for his mouth. As he settled on his knees, that first slow lick had her gasp before she cleared her throat. She'd made it through the first two chapters, always the speedy reader when doing so silently, and started reading the third chapter aloud. At least the start of this wouldn't have her unable to read.

That voice of hers was beautiful. Even if she’d been reading translations from the work they’d been focused on, he’d happily be a captive audience. Spreading her lips with his thumbs he explored every centimeter of her core, leaving no room for secrets between her thighs. His tongue curled and dragged down her clit before spearing into her, a soft moan escaping him as he tasted her so thoroughly on his tongue.

He was taking his time. There were so many times that he did that with her, trying to see how loud he could get her, how unhinged he could get her to be. It had her tremble, her voice becoming a little more breathy. She stumbled over her words as his tongue pressed inside of her body, bringing a moan from her lips as he moaned. Why was it even hotter when he enjoyed doing this to her? So much so that he also moaned and added vibrations to what he was doing to her.

As much as he loved sucking the very breath from her mouth, the kisses he granted her lower lips were insidious. Working their way to find the right angle from this new vantage point. With his hands on her inner thighs, he kept her steady. A hold that would eventually serve to push back should she opt to try and bring her thighs closer together. Though he wanted to tease her mind with statements and dares, he remained quiet, listening to the budding relationship of her protagonist and their obsessive stalker of a love interest. Nothing steamy enough to warrant devouring her just yet.

The way he worked her over was just enough to make her voice breathy and a little unfocused, but she could follow along with what she was reading even if she was more focused on what that mouth could do to her. The story continued to build, leading to the obsessive stalker leaving notes telling the protagonist all the things he could do for her, to her. Promising that he would give her the world if only she'd submit to him and accept him. She braced her arms on the table as she stayed perfectly still for her lover, blushing a bit more.

As the story took a more appropriate turn, Draco pulled away to look at her glistening cunt. He massaged her rear while pushing that cushion forward, shifting to turn between her legs and properly kissing her clit face forward, giving it a prolonged suck before biting it. Her voice had been especially breathy at the mention of how the protagonist would be devoured. As he continued to focus on the steeple of her folds and all those delicious nerve endings, his thumbs drew small circles against her inner thighs, his palms having found the front of her legs to settle on.

Hermione almost paused as he pulled away from her core. But as he shifted a bit better, turning around so he was more facing her core rather than her arse. The kiss to her clit had her moan before her breath hitched and she almost squirmed as he sucked on her clit. The bite had her arch into his mouth as she took in another deep breath and kept reading about how the protagonist wasn't sure how to feel about all of these notes, even as it turned her on more and more.

It was such a missed opportunity not to have left her naughty letters when they fought. Of course, he would have described how he would have killed her at length, but then that was exactly why he'd never dared. If she knew what was coming, it wasn't entertaining or efficient. Now, their warfare was different, more psychological and physiological, bursting with pleasure and pain. Two concepts most would find unreconcilable, but then so were they in some twisted sense. He shifted to lick down her slit, his nose pressed against her clit as he circled and delved into that delicious entrance of hers he would fill with himself later.

The way he devoured her had her moan his name in the middle of a sentence, having to grip the table for a moment. Her legs trembled, having to take in a slow deep breath to keep from closing her legs around his head. Another moan fell from her lips as she kept reading about those notes, moving on to the protagonist trying to find how he was leaving those notes in her house, just for another note to begin scrolling itself on the mirror of her bedroom. Magical romance novels always tended to have such an interesting twist to them. She almost forgot that it couldn't be your average romance novel, not and be in a Malfoy library.

He could send her naughty little notes in the form of flying cranes. Seemed story time in the library wasn't without some inspiration. And some claimed romance was dead. "Ah, ah, ah," he sounded in a mix of mirth and caution. "No closing those pretty little thighs, darling." He wasn't quite sure what he'd do to her if she tried again, but it would be memorable. Perhaps her book would offer some delicious ideas. Keeping her parted with his hands, he leaned in as if he were meeting her mouth in a kiss and not lavishing her with his tongue, lapping at her sweetly before spearing her with his right two fingers. His little minx wanted more, and he wouldn't deny her it.

The note that scrawled itself on the mirror for the protagonist described just how pretty she was when she was turned on, and a door downstairs in the story closed and startled the protagonist. If it weren't a fictional dark romance, she would have thought she was reading a horror story. The warning from her husband had her take in a slow breath and spread her legs a little bit further apart to try and help with the compulsion to clamp her thighs closed around his head. As his fingers spread inside of her while he lapped at her clit, she moaned louder and cursed. "...Draco....fuck," she whimpered, closing her eyes a moment.

It was such a pity to pull away when she was doing so well. Certainly, his knowledge of her body put her at a disadvantage in a game where he knew all the rules and she was learning them as they went along. "Already tired of reading?" he asked, giving his fingers a playful twist inside of her, his breath warm against her clit. "And just when the story was getting interesting," he mock chided.

As he pulled away from her core, she whined softly, looking down at him with a bit of a playful glare. That twist of his fingers had her gasp, moaning softly as his breath fanned over her clit. She took in a few slow breaths before she started to read again. The stalker's love interest was getting closer, hunting the protagonist through her own home.

Much better. Stalking, hunting, catching. It was a game he and his wife knew all too well. After all, he'd done all of those things to her. It wasn't exactly something he'd imagine most women to find appealing, even less erotic, but he wouldn't deny her the pleasures of their union. His tongue and fingers worked in tandem, steadily teasing her to not make her lose track too soon.

The steady touches of his tongue and his fingers resuming had her shiver; it had her breathing a little uneven again, but she was able to continue reading. The protagonist of the story being found by her stalker, and pinned to the wall with magic so he could touch anywhere he wanted on her. But he sank to his knees first and shoved her skirt up. It had her taking in another deep breath before she kept reading, the love interest simply ripping off the protagonist's knickers rather than bothering to take them off slow.

As she read, Draco followed the pace, working her more consistently and firmly to match the intensity of the scene. He was careful not to bring her over the edge though, solely building that need. It was a song and dance they knew, and part of him wanted that chase, and envied this lead male character for getting just that. It didn't matter that they'd had similar experiences that lead them here. He missed it. Not just owning her, but ensuring she remembered she could never escape him. Especially now that their vows ensured they could always find the other.

The firmer touches had her voice waver, had soft moans leaving her lips between every few words, having to pause to get a deeper breath. She needed more. He knew her body far too well and could keep her poised on the edge for as long as he wanted at times. Thinking about the chase that happened here had her tremble, picturing it in her head. If they didn't often have so many others in the manor, she might have let Draco hunt her through it, if only to pin her to a wall and have his way once he caught her. There was no escaping him after all.

Pulling away from her core, Draco took a moment to catch his breath. "I think I'd much rather chase you through this estate," he wiped his mouth as his chest rose and fell. Being tucked between her legs for so long had required some discipline, and it had certainly left him with a heady feeling. "I'll give you a head start, darling, but when I catch you, I'm having my way with you." Dinner be damned, he'd feed her in bed himself. It wasn't like they'd have guests for a while, and the staff knew to be scarce for the day.

Blush warmed her cheeks. Had she projected that, or did he just guess where her mind was? She took a few steadying breaths, knowing he had the advantage in this estate. Back at the manor, she now knew it backwards and forwards. She didn't know this estate that way. "Will you?" She asked as she stepped out of the heels she was in carefully, letting her skirt fall back around her legs as she stepped away from the table. "...Better be a hell of a head start...You know this one better than me." It was her only complaint before she took off out the door to the library to work her way deeper into the estate. Avoiding the bedrooms for now.

His childhood memories of the place were minimal at best, but he wasn't about to say as much. Not when she was running, her heart likely pounding in her ears. For a moment he just sat smiling, enjoying the shift of pace. Reaching beside the cushion, he pocketed her knickers and stood to send the cushion back to its place. Once the library was somewhat in order, he slowly walked out the same doors she had left through. From there, he'd have to decide whether she would have taken the stairs or risked her way down the hall.

Hermione took the chance to dart up the stairs, not wanting to stay on the same floor as the library. She had gone through quite a few rooms and opened and closed doors to try and confuse him. The last thing she wanted was for this to be too easy for him.

Though he certainly could cheat, he wouldn’t so soon in their game. He’d nearly gotten her off, and now she would be filled with adrenaline and anticipation. Both of which would only make finding her all the more delectable. Wand in hand, he opened the first door more loudly than necessary. He wanted her to know he was hunting her. To feel those pesky butterflies that might make her give herself away with a sound. After a few more random doors, he doubled back towards the stairs.

She could feel her arousal sliding down her thighs as she tried to find a place she could hide. She carefully and quietly opened doors on the floor above, almost jumping as she heard the doors opening downstairs. It had her heart race. She silently cast a silencing charm on her heels and continued down the hall. There was a back hallway, there always had to be, that she could maybe slip back down to double back where he had come in the first place.

He'd almost forgotten how exhilarating it was to hunt down his wife. How many times had he done so in the field? Breaking things and redirecting her where he wanted her. Sometimes, it backfired, but it was always a learning experience. Though he certainly made the occasional noise to let her know he was coming, Draco was otherwise very quiet, his entire body on high alert as he honed it to find his prey. It made walking nearly painful, the hardness of the length in his pants somehow harder. Oh, he'd make her scream for him. Keeping to the shadows, he walked down the next hallway, opening doors and using quick sequences of charms to determine whether she was in or not.

The feeling of being hunted was one that she had almost forgotten, especially by him. It had her having to think smarter and carefully stay in the shadows. She'd dodged him for years and had herded him as surely as he had herded her other times. With a silent flick of her wand, she slammed a door inside one of the rooms, hoping to draw him in even though she wasn't in there as she turned a corner and started to go down the stairs, glad that her heels didn't click.

The sound of a door caught his attention, and though he began walking towards it, he also knew his wife. Only his smile could be seen in the shadows, bright like the Cheshire's, as he turned to figure out the angle she could have used. "You can only run so long, darling," he called, using his wand to send his voice to ensure she would hear regardless of how far she'd gotten.

As she heard the steps approaching that door, she couldn't help but smirk. Had he forgotten their tactics that soon? No sooner had she thought that his voice had come down the hall and made her think he was right behind her for a moment. It made her stumble on the stairs, grabbing the bannister to avoid tripping, but her heel had thudded against the step. She had quieted her footsteps...but that wasn't a footstep. Cursing to herself, she took the stairs two at a time.

There it was. The moment of weakness he had planned to hone in on. With a few steps he could keep concealed and note her gripping the bannister. It was tempted to tie her to it, but it would be much more appealing to let her think she'd gotten away. Holding his breath, he watched her rush down, waiting until she was on the landing, too busy to decide which way to turn to begin his descent. Was her heart beating as wildly as his was? Beneath the cool facade, she was a raging fire beneath his flesh, begging to consume him.

She felt like he was watching her, but she wasn't about to look over her shoulder and see if she was right. The last thing she needed was for there to be a deer-in-the-headlights look. Or for more desire to spark through her. She already craved him. Wanting to feel him all over her body and getting herself to play this little game with him had taken effort, even with how exciting it was. Her heart raced in her chest, causing her to work harder to focus. Right or left, right or left...Left. She only hesitated a moment or two on the stairs, but would he need more than a moment or two?

As much as he enjoyed the hunt, he was bound by the need he felt for her. She was beautiful when she was running like that, considering her options. A tame version of the cat-and-mouse game they'd once shared. With his wand, he waited for her to get close enough to a wall to use a version of the spell her book had hinted at. It had made her make that beautiful sound back in the library, or perhaps that had been his tongue's doing...

She'd gotten too close to the wall, and he had gotten too close to her. Her body was pinned, arms over her head, from the spell he cast. It had her eyes widen and her heart drummed in her ears. Squirming, she tried to think of a counterspell she could use to try and break his hold before he could reach her...

Draco was deliberately slow in his motions to reach her. "I do so enjoy it when you struggle," he reminded in that velvet tone of his as his foot met the landing. He was going to enjoy her. His wild-eyed girl. He loved watching those cogs spinning in her head. "I think I might enjoy you right here," he looked her over as he drew closer. She was so close he could practically touch her.

Hermione arched, trying to pull off of the wall. She tugged on her wrists as she looked at him, playfully glaring at him. "You're going to keep getting ideas from those books, aren't you?" She tried to sound mad, but she wanted him. Her thighs were slick. She was honestly surprised she wasn't dripping. "Wouldn't be the first time you had me outside of the bedroom..."

"You keep choosing compelling titles, darling," he brushed her cheek, adoring that arch in her back as she tried to find a purchase that wasn't there. Pulling his touch away, he brought it to her inner leg, just above her knee, before trailing his fingers upwards. "I think you rather enjoy the public displays," he murmured in her ear. "Like the idea of someone catching us," he smiled at the feel of that slickness a ways before he reached her core. "You don't dislike the idea of others knowing just how much I enjoy you," he taunted, grasping at an inkling.

"I do have interesting tastes," she murmured, leaning into his touch to her cheek. But as he drew that touch away, only to start trailing his hand up her inner thigh, her breath hitched. His voice in her ear had her tremble. She didn't want him to stop touching her. As his fingers drew up and up, she almost whimpered, blushing deeply at his words. She didn't dislike the idea, but she wasn't sure how much she liked it either. But there was a thrill to it...

That silence combined with the slick heat between her thighs. He seized his wand and spread her legs with a spell. "You do have interesting taste," he agreed. "So do I," he traced her jaw with his nose, enjoying her at his mercy. "I have half a mind to gag you with your soaked knickers tucked in my pocket." He taunted wickedly, curious about her reaction. "But I do so enjoy hearing you make all those lovely sounds for me..." He bit the side of her throat firmly.

As he spread her legs wider, the blush lingered, straining against the spell a little bit. At least none of the staff would come this way. At least, she hoped they wouldn't. They'd hear her just fine regardless. She tilted her head slightly, shivering at how close he was, but she shook her head at that taunt. "Don't you dare," she pressed, scandalized by the very idea., but as he bit her, she gasped, the sound turned into a moan of pleasure.

Draco was no Gryffindor by any means, but when she dared him not to do something, it made him want to do exactly that. Still, it was her birthday, and he could be decent for a weekend. Instead, he focused on what made her moan. Sheathing his wand, he reached to free himself from the confines of his trousers, the sound of his zip the only warning she had. Though whether she heard it as he continued to lavish and bite her throat, he didn't quite mind. Hand at the base of his length, let it hit against her clit before sliding it back to slot himself.

The bites and kisses along her throat had her gasp, soft moans leaving her lips as he moved her skirt. She didn't hear the zipper of his trousers, didn't realize he had simply moved them just enough out of the way that he could tease her with his length. That brush to her clit had her gasp, arching a little bit as she tried to get closer to him, watching as he moved back to line up to thrust into her. She craved him. As crazy as it sounded.

With how tight he had her against the wall, he couldn't get quite as far as he wanted. It was frustrating but not a deal breaker. There'd be ample time to string her up over the course of the weekend. Reluctantly, he reached down to wandlessly release her ankles with one hand while the other gripped beneath her thigh to encourage her to wrap those strong yet slender legs around his waist.

A bit of a cheeky grin curved her lips, and she wrapped her legs around him easily enough before she nipped at his jaw. "Didn't think that one through, did you, darling?" She teased against his skin, pressing a kiss where she nipped. She couldn't help the cheek. He might have caught her, but they were both going to win.

“I can still gag you,” he reminded wickedly, leaning in as if to kiss her cheek only to bite it. A sensation he pressed a kiss to. She felt so good. Too good. He swore every time he was with her he was trying to get this close to her. It terrified him, and yet, he couldn’t stop.

She half expected the bite but still gasped at the sensation before she nipped back at him, her gaze falling to his lips even as she spoke. "And miss out on those, what did you call them, pornographic sounds I make?" As if to prove her point, she used the little bit of leverage she had to grind against him, pulling a moan from her lips.

That sound and his limited movements only added to his grievance. He hadn’t thought this part through and wasn’t using these techniques outside their home. Not in a way that would require him to be this close to his mark. With her pinned between him and the wall, he took out his wand and took her off it. “You’re going to make the staff blush,” he teased in praise as he gripped her.

Once that spell let her go, her arms wrapped around his neck as she leaned in and nipped at his jaw, nipping along his neck. "It's your fault if I do," she teased back as she stayed pressed close to him, blushing a bit more.

“I don’t know what’s beyond those doors, but I’ll have you on its every surface,” he promised.

Every surface. That reminded her so much of their honeymoon and made her whimper softly before she brushed her lips to his with a grin. "Promises, promises..."

That sound had his length shift inside of her, wanting more of that reaction. With how much she goaded him, he doubted she would be able to walk by the time their friends were around. Wasn’t sure he’d be in better shape, either. Keeping her against him, he opened the first double doors he came across. Every plan he'd had was out of his mind, every thought he had on her. A second mistake to a series of consecutive thoughtless actions. His wife had a way of distracting him.

A gasp pulled his attention from her neck, which he'd been doting on, as he realized which part of the tour they'd found themselves in. "Oh bugger," he muttered. "Out," he glared at the masseuse, who graciously took her colleague with her.

She was so focused on him, teasing him and how he felt inside of her as he moved to carry her, that she wasn't about to notice anything else. Until that gasp pulled her attention, and she turned bright red. Part of her wanted to get down but that would just leave them in more of a compromising position.

"We'll be right outside for when you're ready," the second said as if they hadn't just stormed in, with his rear exposed as he held his wife in a compromising position.

They were professionals. Thank Merlin for that. He'd make sure their rates were paid in double. When the doors closed, he set her down on one of the tables and pressed his forehead to hers.

As they went outside, Hermione groaned softly and was about to hide her face against his neck before he moved to set her down on one of the tables.

"You okay?" he asked, opening his eyes to meet her gaze.

Meeting his gaze, she was bright red. The idea of getting caught was arousing, of being overheard, but the reality had her trying not to fidget. "...I'll be fine," she murmured, brushing a kiss to his lips, trying not to think about just how frustrated she would likely be sexually. Couldn't leave the masseuse waiting, could they?

"You set up a massage for me?" She tried to change the subject.

"Figured you could use some help with those kinks of yours," he offered with a bit of a smile, trying to make light of the situation. Sure, he'd worked out kinks from her body, but he only did what he could. He took a steadying breath and slid out of her to pull up his pants. "Surprise?" He tried not to chuckle.

She smiled a little bit and nipped at his jaw. Part of her wanted him to keep going, but that would be unprofessional and rude, and...Dear Merlin, she couldn't believe that just happened. "You might have more kinks than I do," she drawled, playing with words before she kissed his cheek and settled her skirt down her legs. "I am...quite surprised."

"I only need you to work mine out," he nipped her lower lip. He hated having to put a stop to their other activities, but after everything, they could both use some rest and relaxation. Especially with the world of pain that would await them afterwards.

"They're here for the weekend, in case you want any other services," he added, pulling out his wand to clean them both up real quick. With another charm, he relieved himself of his top, the fabric settling cleanly in a bin under the table. "We can resume things later," he promised. "And we can always come back and acquaint ourselves with every surface," he teased.

Blush warmed her cheeks, but she couldn't help but smile a bit more as she looked at him. Even with her body practically aching for more of his touch. To be filled with him. But she gave a nod of her head. "I might take you up on that. Might have a facial of some kind or get my nails done. Might as well," she murmured. Removing her shirt to put it under the table, she moved to lay on the table and removed her bra.

"After this massage, you're all mine again," she vowed as she looked over at him. Determined to actually have both of them satisfied. Two denied orgasms again, and she'd want even more.

He watched her settle on the table as he stripped out of the remainder of his clothes. It wasn't like his massotherapist for the next hour or so hadn't already seen his rear. He laid himself on the table next to her and settled under the cover.

"As in claiming your reward, or..." he shot her a look from where he lay, wanting to see what his little lioness was in the mood for.

Using her spell to strip the rest of the way down, might as well, she covered with the blanket and made sure she was nice and laid out. The table was warm and a soft sigh left her lips as she glanced over at her husband. "...We'll see how I feel after the massage...but you did say that was part of my reward, didn't you?" He hadn't ever contested it. Just didn't say when she would get that part of it.

"I'm not opposed to letting you take the lead for a while," he slicked his lips. At least then, he wouldn't be a blundering fool making mistakes his younger self would have chastised him for. "I've never gone back on my word, and though I can't take you on every surface here...yet, we still have time," he offered her a playful look.

"Mmm, might not take the lead as much as you do...but I'm going to enjoy getting to." She said, looking him over, a bit more of a grin curving her lips even as her cheeks remained flushed. They had time and often went multiple rounds. It would be fine—more than fine. "We do...and we'll see if you do that," she teased before nodding her head, settling there on the table.

It wasn't much longer before there was a soft knock on the door. "You ready, darling?" he asked, not about to make the decision for her.

"Mhmm."

The doors opened, and their conversation was paused as two women walked in to set up their trays and electrical devices that worked on so few Malfoy properties. This one had begun as a muggle establishment, and though they didn't exactly make use of any of them, the staff did so for them. The downside was lights failed, or certain items the staff held dear tended to short circuit.

Modern appliances and conveniences were something that she hadn't gotten to experience that often for a while now. But she enjoyed it. Hermione wouldn't have guessed that Muggle devices could have worked on any Malfoy property, but she wasn't about to complain. Clearly she has to explore more of their properties.

It was an outlying property, one that he had chosen to send her to for many of those reasons. It was also one of the better-kept secrets of his estate. None of which he had told her. She was smart. Eventually, she would figure things out, especially considering his plans. As hands settled on his shoulder, he gave her another glance before slipping his face into the keyhole cushion.

"I need you to relax, Mr Malfoy," his masseuse chided gently as she worked his shoulders. A soft music one might hear in spas played through the room.

The first touches of her massage had her relax with a sigh of contentment. Though she heard the chiding and had to try hard not to laugh as she closed her eyes. Relax, darling. You deserve the knots worked out as much as I do. And she honestly doubted that anyone had been looking out for him for a long time.

I'm not sure I know how to, his mind supplied. Tense was second nature. It was the very thing that had kept him alive all this time. It had the woman working his shoulders, pressing harder, pulling the occasional hiss from him, and holding back a sigh.

That honestly made sense. Opening one eye to look at him, she let her mind continue to brush his. Deep breath in, slow breath out. Try to think of something that is at least soothing...A recent example could perhaps be when we were in that hammock on our honeymoon. That had been rather relaxing and calming, hadn't it?

Shifting, he looked over to meet her gaze. Deep breaths? Even his clothes were binding on the best of days. Deep breaths weren't exactly on the menu. Still, he tried. The hammock. He remembered her joining him, despite the anger she'd held for him. You were angry with me then, he remembered. And yet she'd pressed close and tucked herself against him. It'd been enjoyable. A calm before yet another storm he'd weathered.

Meeting his gaze with her own, her face was a bit more relaxed as she kept her eyes on him. I was...But you did what you had to in order to survive. Just as I have. I don't hate you for it. Which was already an improvement from when she had first come into the manor.

There was a hiss despite his mind wrapping itself around her last statement. She didn’t hate him. After their latest tiff, that caught him off guard. They’d fallen into a pattern of sorts. Always a cycle of fighting, working, and fucking. He didn’t lie to himself when it came to how she allowed him to ensnare her mind and her body into every fantasy he willed to life. I don’t hate you, he found himself replying. He wasn’t sure what that meant for him.

That hiss almost made her snort even as her eyes slowly closed and she relaxed further. Another sigh left her lips as the tension was worked out of her back. She still dreaded having things worked out of her legs, knowing that he had helped a lot, but there was probably a lot more damage than what he could work out. I was rather certain you didn't...but I appreciate the confirmation all the same. Inhale slowly for five seconds, hold for two, exhale slowly for five. See if that helps. They had to work on his ability to relax. She was still alert, even while relaxed, and she could still do magic if necessary, but she doubted it would be.

Draco breathed in for the five counts she asked, held, and tried to exhale for five before holding again. He wasn't sure what it was supposed to do beyond making him a little lightheaded. He supposed passing out would be a form of relaxation. Eventually, he grew a little less tense, though nowhere near the levels his wife seemed to melt into the table. At least she was comfortable, and that was the entire point of the exercise in the end. Being with her just meant that he could protect her.

Hermione listened as he did what she asked, and since the masseuse didn't chide him again, she assumed he was doing a little bit better. Even if he wasn't properly relaxed. She wasn't sure she could convince him to do that completely. Not when all of their adult lives had been fighting and war and mistrust. Eventually, if they managed a plan for after everything, then perhaps he could learn how to relax properly. Another sigh left her lips before the woman moved to her legs and she grimaced, but kept her body still and relaxed as possible.

It was impressive the way she allowed a complete stranger to ease every tension knot they could come across. After everything he’d done, part of him feared everyone. How many friends and family members had the two muggle women in the room lost because of him? Directly indirectly, he was the main target, always was. He tried to keep those breaths steady. If he hadn’t dug in both their minds to ensure they had no desire to harm them, he wouldn’t have even managed that. And yet he trusted the brunette on the other table. As much as he could trust someone. Even her anger had patterns. Perhaps not as much as the past week had posed, that had been explosive at best. He’d been lost in thought that when a hand came to his calf, he hadn’t anticipated it and practically jackknifed off the table with a sharp sound that was hardly acceptable from a Malfoy.

“You need to relax.”

“I’m. Trying.”

The brunette kept his stare and pressed down on the same cluster again. “There are handles under the table. You’re free to grip them.”

Cheekbones flushing, he did just that, trying to relax but hopeful this would end sooner rather than later.

After everything she had survived, she didn't think this would be what got her. Didn't believe that Draco would have let anyone into one of their properties before checking to see if they were secure enough to be around. So it was easier for her to relax under the massage, even as her legs were worked out. That sharp sound had her eyes pop open and her body tensed.

"He's alright, Mrs. Malfoy," the masseuse attempted to soothe.

The brunette looked him over, watching him a moment before she slowly let her body relax all over again. If it would help you can talk to me. She stated simply, her mind soothingly brushing through his even as her eyes closed again. The man didn't know how to relax at all. Not that she could completely blame him. And she hadn't exactly helped.

Draco wasn't used to being in such a state or a position that made him feel, insecure. I don't...even know where to begin. Even using his mind was a strain against the sheer pain of his calves. It was more pleasant when you were the one making those...sounds under my hands. It was easier to focus on how he had felt working the tension out of her. To know he made her suffer and gain pleasure in one fell sweep.

Hermione smiled just a little but kept her mind brushing against his. It'll feel better once you force yourself not to move; keep the muscles relaxed...I'm going to use a terrible comparison so you'll have to forgive me... She hated bringing it up this way, but it was the same basic principle after a fashion. It's like making sure that your body doesn't tense up too much during that curse. The more your body fights against it, the more it will actively hurt.

No wonder you like...being my good witch, his mind groaned, his jaw tensing, fists gripping beneath the table. Compared to any torture from the Dark Lord, it really wasn't that painful, and yet it was worse on some level. This was meant to be pleasant, but it wasn't. Fuuuuck his mind couldn't hold back the expletive his mouth refused to release. He'd already made that one ungodly sound.

The sound of his groan through her mind almost had her shiver, even as he tensed and gripped the table beneath him. Would you rather I didn't like it? She taunted a little playfully, trying to take his mind off of it. The expletive he wouldn't let leave his lips almost made her snort, but she stayed relaxed, a soft sigh leaving her lips when the woman got down to her feet. At least that wasn't as painful as her calves.

Draco lifted his head to counter that statement, but then the woman trying to help him relax touched his feet and he couldn't help kicking back. Thankfully, he didn't hit her, but before she could catch it again, he gripped the sheet and wrapped himself as he sat up. "Go help your colleague care for my wife," he sent her along. He'd had enough, and he refused to girlishly giggle. He'd never say as much, but it was a far too sensitive area that was beyond ticklish. You'll always be my witch, he reminded, watching as her body was given a chance to relax. Come night, he'd bring her back here, give those tables a different use.

That dismissal of the masseuse nearly made her chuckle as she opened her eyes to see him wrapped in the sheet. As one of them worked her other leg, the new one started working along her arms and she sighed as she closed her eyes, letting herself relax. I will. And you'll always be my wizard. Her voice sounded more relaxed and carried that small touch of amusement.

It was odd the feeling he got watching two women touch his wife. Though there was nothing sexual about it, he was annoyed he wasn’t the one making her feel good. At the same time, his definition of doing so usually came with why he had gotten her a massage in the first place. She made him feel desire and aggression with her very presence. Reaching for his wand he summoned himself a glass of water and used a bit of magic to get back his pants and trousers. There was no need to risk exposure in front of the masseuses, he thought, downing the water as he kept his silver gaze on her.

Relaxing under the massage, she could feel them working out all of the knots and tension out of her body. She could feel her husband watching her and she opened one eye to glance at him with a slightly lifted brow, unsure of what he was thinking or doing as he simply watched.

That relaxed, content look on her face was nowhere as exciting as how she looked obliterated with satisfaction, but then he might have taken issue with the ladies at work if she had. Good?, his mind asked, knowing the answer but enjoying the sight nonetheless.

A soft sigh left her lips as she let her eyes close again. Very good. Almost makes up for what we got interrupted doing. Almost. She teased slightly. This relaxation was pleasant and rejuvenating but didn't shut her mind off. It didn't make it so she trembled and quaked with pleasure. Didn't make it so the world just turned off for a moment. Only he'd been able to do that, and she didn't want to think about what admitting that would mean.

That close? he asked, with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. It made him want to send the ladies out and prove a point, but he kept reminding himself what he was doing for her this weekend. Things could go back to normal once they were back at the manor. He slicked his lips and refilled his glass before summoning a second. She'd need water once they were done.

Before we were interrupted? Not quite. Before we started our game of chase? Yes. She focused on that rather than whether or not this was close to being as good. It was lovely. Incredible, she could feel the tension melting out of her muscles. Depending on what games they played while here, she might need this again to help with whatever aches he gave to her body. Unless he wanted to work those out himself.

So equivalent to my tongue? he asked with a perked brow. Now, she certainly had his attention. Apparently, he had some tweaks to make the next time he found himself with his face between her thighs. Changes he would happily implement if it meant making her knees weak. He tried not to focus on why it bothered him that anyone brought her anything close to that level of pleasure.

Hermione almost chuckled as she turned her head to look at him with a bit of a grin. I meant I was that close. Not that this is close, darling. Studying him a moment, she had the urge to stretch as they finished on her back and her legs. Both arms done along with her hands.

"That will be all for now," she dismissed them calmly, politely, the way that was expected, as she slowly moved to sit up and wrap the sheet around her body, holding out a hand for him to bring her that glass of water. The massage is nowhere near as delightful or pleasurable as your tongue.

Draco easily closed that distance, and placed the glass he summoned in her grasp. Once the door closed, and they were alone again, he let a hand slip up her thigh in a slow procession.

“Good,” he replied. Either way, he’d do everything in his power to make her feel boneless.

Taking the glass from him, she drank down half of it. The sheet was tucked in around her body as his hand ghosted up her thigh. She shivered lightly. Part of her already craving more of his touch.

His hands smoothed up her sides and eased her sheet down. “And what are you in the mood for now that you’re all…relaxed?”

She set the glass down, letting it levitate there next to them for a moment. "Mmm. What am I in the mood for?" She drawled, tapping her finger lightly against her bottom lip as she watched him. "You."

Draco liked the sound of that. He liked that she wanted him. Craved him. He pried the sheet further, exposing her inch by inch. She was beautiful, scars and all. Most importantly, she was his.

Gripping her hips he pulled her forward and eyed her lips. “Me?” He smiled, leaning to brush his nose against hers. “I’m right here, darling.”

"Yes, you," she murmured, brushing her lips to his a moment before lightly nipping at his bottom lip.

Letting him unwrap that sheet from her body, pulling it down her body to expose her to his gaze. Her legs fell open a little bit further for him, trailing her fingers up his chest and along his shoulders.

At that silent invitation, he stepped in closer, enjoying her fingers on him more than anything. After the better part of the last hour, he craved her touch on him. The same way he followed every curve and dip as he explored her. Even the bite was welcome. A reminder of what they were up to. Taking the time to explore each other, shivers rolled down her spine as his fingers trailed over her skin, tracing her curves. He brushed scars and the occasional stretch mark from her regained weight. At least it was for a healthy reason.

Her back still had those oils on it, making it a smooth path up along her spine before gently gathering her hair back and getting a good grip at the base of her skull. As he gripped her hair, her breath hitched slightly.

“First surface then,” he forced her to turn and bent her over the table—a firm slap against her rear in response to that bite.

Letting him bend her over, she gasped at that firm slap, squirming in place a little bit as her heart started to hammer in her chest all over again. "Trying to get them all in one night or spacing them out, darling?" She drawled, glancing over her shoulder at him.

“We’ll see how it goes,” he reached between her legs to run his fingers over her. Where he’d been gentle against the expanses of her body, he was firmer now in his touches, ready to tense her body all over again. The moment she’d bitten him, she’d settled her fate for the foreseeable future. “Did you have a number in mind?” He asked, circling her clit before slipping two fingers into her. The last request had been tryingly delicious. The way she’d all but passed out from pleasure on his bed, how wonderful it’d been to wake her up to that final orgasm.

Another shiver rolled through her body as he stroked her, teasing her body with firm and sure touches. She was still wet, just not as wet as in the hall against the wall. But she almost whimpered as his fingers pressed inside of her, her legs spreading a little further apart for him as she took in a slow breath. "I didn't...Why? Wanting to try that again already?" She teased, but she felt her heart rate spike at that. A mix of excitement and concern. Could she handle that again? Or did he have the potions to help with that after already here?

Leaning in, he bit her shoulder as his fingers slipped in and out of her, taking his time to get her where he wanted her. Wet wouldn't do. No, after all he had gone through, he needed her dripping. Needed to regain some much-needed control to recover from everything.

"I want to see how much it takes so that when I lower you into the bath upstairs, clutched against my chest, you're coming in and out of consciousness," he murmured against her ear. He wanted to take care of her, to have her completely at his mercy, because he could.

The bite had her breath hitch before she moaned as his fingers slowly slid in and out of her body. She stayed bent over that table, keeping her eye on him over her shoulder as she tried not to rock her hips to meet him. She could almost taste his need for control on her tongue. And who was she to deny him that when it would let her turn her mind back off? Thinking would get her in trouble right now. Make her sad. Make her want to hex something. This? This would help.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you wanted to break your witch," she crooned, even as another shiver rolled down her spine at the mere thought of that image in her head.

"I would never break my witch," he replied in a silken tone, curling his fingers to let his knuckles press against that firm, tender spot inside of her. "Only liberate her from the confines of the known," he taunted. To take her into a space where everything and nothing existed. He kissed down her spine, pausing between her shoulder blades. "And then welcome her back," he licked up against every vertebra. She looked so good, no longer the emaciated witch he'd collected.

Before she could offer a rebuttal to that, she moaned as his knuckles pressed into her. It had her hips rolling into his hand, wanting more of that friction as she got wetter. Desire burned through her, making her crave everything he was offering. Even if she cried. Even if it hurt to walk later because of it. She craved more of him. A soft shriek left in her surprise as he licked along her back, blushing brilliantly even as she shivered. "You make it sound so...philosophical."

Draco didn't let up on that spot he teased, encouraged by the slickness that made every motion easier than the last. It had his other hand reach around to find that small cluster of nerves and add to his motions. "Philosophical, metaphysical..." The words were a breath against the back of her neck. As much as he might have wanted things to be physical, they'd transcended that somewhere along their honeymoon. She was more than flesh against his flesh. "Either way you put it, you're mine," he whispered, adding more pressure and friction to his steady push and pull of fingers.

Hermione moaned, her hips bucking into his hand as much as they could as her breaths became a little more labored. Closing her eyes, she let herself simply feel him, and it felt like he was everywhere. So close to her body, his fingers inside and against her, his breath teasing her throat and her ear. It was like he was curled around her, and even if she wanted to, she couldn't escape him. And like this, she never wanted to. Something in her had cracked open and bloomed into a newer version of herself, allowing for some emotions other than lust to take root where he was concerned. Her legs trembled lightly, it easier to build her up after already being denied twice.

Every time he had her like this, it was like her body lit up for him. As if every touch fed the very spark that brought her to life and with it, brought him back from the depths he buried himself in. Her body was a beacon, a siren's call that begged him to take her, to keep her, to repeatedly make her his. Pride swelled in his chest as she moved against him, silently guiding him towards what she needed, which he was all too pleased to give her. He wouldn't deny her this, not when this could very well be their last weekend.

Letting herself simply feel was so easy with him at this point. Getting out of her own way was hard in a lot of situations, but not like this. Not with him teasing and touching her body. Shivers raced up and down her spine as she rocked her hips back into his hand as he filled her with his fingers, soft moans and whines leaving her lips. More. She absolutely needed more.

"That's it," he encouraged, keeping that pace and adding that friction. "Come for me," he demanded gently. He wanted her to fall apart for him. He would have her come on as much of him as he could make her. His fingers, his tongue, and when he'd finally take her, she'd cry for him.

The encouragement had her breath hitch, her body so built up from the times she'd been denied already. It had her body tremble. The command had her attempt to hold out a little bit longer before, with a moan of his name, she tightened on his fingers as pleasure stole her breath and had her moaning. Her hips ground into his fingers, her breathing uneven.

Another whimper of a moan left her as he kept thrusting through her orgasm, keeping her body sensitive and primed for more. He never seemed content with making her come undone one time. He seemed to always like seeing what new height he could push her to.

"You're so wet," he praised, sliding in and out of her through her orgasm. Pulling his fingers away, he licked her off them with a soft moan. "So delicious," he said approvingly. Sliding an arm around her, he pulled her off the table before laying her down on the table he'd suffered attempts at relaxation on. "Spread wide for me, darling," helped position her so he could properly taste her to his heart's content.

She tried not to groan at the praise for how she tasted to him, letting him guide her to lay down on the table before him as she caught her breath—or tried to. She knew that wouldn't last long.

Slowly spreading her legs wider apart for him, she looked up at him, her cheeks a little flushed as she watched him. No one had ever satisfied her like he did, and no one else would ever get the chance to try. "So wet...for and because of you..."

A grin spread on his lips. This was his doing, and though he liked to take credit for all of it, he also knew she was most of the reason. The mind could take things so much further. He merely gave it the nudge it needed to get her there. To encourage that acceptance of pleasure.

Rather than answer, he set a cushioning charm on the floor and lowered himself to her exposed sex. Holding her hips apart, he spread her lips with his thumbs to see that swollen, glistening pink of her core. "Beautiful," he praised before leaning in to lick along one side and down the other, circling her clit along the way.

The intensity of his focus on her body had her tremble, and the impulse was to close her legs against him, spreading her open like that again. One of her hands moved into his hair, and before she could attempt to say or do anything, his tongue was on her again. A moan left her lips, and she barely managed to keep her hips down on the table.

"So good...So skilled with that tongue," she whimpered.

Her core was liquid heat against his tongue and lips as he eagerly lapped at her. She was the sweetest honey on his tongue. I think I’ll have you for breakfast every morning we’re here, he taunted her. Her taste would pair well with his morning tea. Seemed a pity to have such a woman in his bed and not make her white knuckle the headboard every morning.

Her legs quivered, her hand tightening in his hair as she moaned, staying laid back on the bed despite wanting to watch what he was doing. His words were arousing enough, and she almost clamped her legs closed around his head, barely managing to keep them open for him. "You think so?" She managed, but her voice was already breathy.

Draco met her gaze at that question, keeping a palm against her thigh while he used his tongue and fingers to continue building her up. Now, he would make it a point to have her wake with his head between her thighs. Such a delicious witch, he praised, nipping her clit before sucking on it.

Looking down at him when she felt his eyes on her, she blushed a brighter shade of red. Oh, she shouldn't have challenged him. Shouldn't have made it sound like she didn't believe that he'd do it. That combination of stimulation had her moan louder and almost buck off of the table. "Draco...fuck..."

Soon darling, his mind supplied wickedly, maintaining that pace that had her react so vividly. Sucking and grazing his teeth to that nerve cluster while giving his fingers a bit of a curl to them inside her. She was worth every bit of tightness in his arm. Especially when she made so many sounds. It would prevent their masseuses from bothering to come back and clean up.

That promise had her whimper another moan. The continued suction and stimulation had her hand tightening in his hair, her nails almost scoring his scalp as she arched into his mouth a bit more as his fingers curled inside of her. Resisting the urge to call out to god again, knowing he'd make some sort of comment, she simply voiced her pleasure with her moans as her eyes fell closed.

All those sounds she made were music to his ears. They awkaned a part of him that was doting and competitve. It didn't matter that he had no one to compete against, every time he pushed her to a new limit he felt that desire to go further. Her nails seared along his scalp and left the most satisfying burn in their wake. She never feared marking him, and he didn't mind it. If anything he welcomed it, a testament to his prowess, not unlike the ones he left on her body. The pain she caused mirrored in the finger prints he dug into her thigh, creating a canvas of blossoming bruises.

Her breaths were becoming more uneven as he continued that pleasurable pace. Her body felt like it was winding tighter and tighter and one of her legs draped over his shoulder, drawing him closer to her as she tried not to pant. It was almost like he kept trying to do and be better every time he was between her legs. He might just kill her this way one day.

That leg had him grin against her folds, sucking a bit harder on that bundle of nerves as his fingers repeatedly made that come hither motion. They were slick from being inside her, saturated with how wet she was for him. He didn't rush as he built her, despite how hard he was beneath the fabric of his trousers. His nails dug into her thigh, adjusting his grip as he devoured her.

Feeling his lips turn up against her for a moment, she attempted to think of something clever to say before that harder suck stole her breath. Though it had her almost scream as she fell apart for him all over again. Those come hither motions and that suction had her arch off of the table as she clutched at his hair and the table, attempting not to writhe for him.

That scream was a sheer symphony to his ears, a sound he had craved from her before her capture that she now willingly offered him. Her body almost thrashed with pleasure, lifting off the padded table and into his touch. It had him work his fingers inside her a while longer, as though he wanted to tickle her navel from the inside. His motions slowed, and he eventually pulled out to lick her off the front of his fingers.

The continued touch had her writhe and whimper under him. Part of her wanted him to stop while the other part of her wanted him to do what he had said. Ruin her so well she could barely keep her eyes open as he took care of her. Almost whimpering as he pulled his fingers out of her, she tried to catch her breath, opening her eyes to watch as he cleaned the front of his fingers.

"Show me how well you'll lick us off me later," he offered her his fingers expectantly, taking a moment to find his next surface to take her on.

That blush heated her cheeks all over again and she nearly shivered before leaning up and licking from the base of his fingers all the way up. A mix of arousal and a hint of shame showing in her eyes.

That look had his cock pressing against its fabric confines, demanding to be released. She was doing such a good job cleaning his fingers, licking away with those crimson streaks of shame across her cheeks. "Such a good witch," he praised, slipping his digits past her lips for a moment. Wanting to feel a different kind of slick warmth. "I'll give you a choice," he continued in a dark velvet tone. "I can take you against that wall, on that chair, or bent over that table." Eventually he'd have her on all those surfaces, but he was a negotiable man at times.

A soft surprised sound left her as he pushed his fingers past her lips, into her mouth. But she sucked them clean quickly, even as she blushed, before pulling her head away. Her gaze met his with a bit of fire to them, a mix of lust and something else, but she considered that question, the way his voice made her ache for him all the more. Slowly, she let her gaze look over each surface before looking back at him with a faint smirk. "The wall. If we can get the angle right this time," she challenged, knowing she might pay for that even as she said it.

After brushing his thumb down her lips, he gripped her hips and pulled her into him. "Unzip my trousers, darling," he demanded, carrying her a few feet away to firmly press her back to the wall. He'd find that angle and drill her to the damn wall if he had to. That dangerous cocktail of pride and lust swirling in his steely gaze.

Hermione wrapped her legs around his waist as he pulled her in against him. Rather than wrap her arms around him, she trusted him to carry her as she unfastened his trousers, pulling down the zipper and shifting a little so he could more easily escape the confines of the fabric. As she did as she was told, he latched onto her breasts, sucking her nipple in firmly to his mouth. Before she could say anything, teasing or otherwise, she gasped softly. The sound turned to a moan as her hand gripped the back of his head and her own fell back against the wall.

He nipped at her pebbled nipple and repeated the process with the other. He loved how reactive she was nearly everywhere. Perhaps it was the years of torture that had fired up every nerve in her body to open her to all his teasings. Seizing himself he aligned them, pushing to get that first inch in before letting go. With his hands on her hips he yanked her down while he thrust up, watching her features as he filled her in a firm single stroke. His lips parting, wanting nothing more than to claim hers. Holding back, he studied her as he sought that perfect angle. One that would afford range in motion while offering the right friction.

Barely holding back the urge to squirm against the wall, she whimpered as he repeated the action. Her body always felt so sensitive. Perhaps it was the contrast to the years of torture, or perhaps it was just him. She could admit that now, at least just to herself. Not aloud. Not to him. The man had a big enough ego on him. That slow press into her had her moan softly, the first inch having her tremble. A bit of a smirk curved her lips, about to make a snide remark before he pulled her down as he thrust up and what left her lips was a moan as her nails dug into his back.

"Oh....fuck," she gasped softly, arching into him, grinding into him as she met his gaze. Her lips parted, her body trembling gently. Working towards a third already had her thinking that perhaps he was going to try and make up for lost or interrupted time.

"Yeah?" He asked, enjoying how easily she cursed for him. A far cry from the lioness he'd known growing up. "That a good angle then?" he demanded, lips hovering over hers without allowing that gap to close. He was far too busy bridging a lower one. Filling her over and over again, spurred by the claws she dragged down his back. They'd both be a mess come morning, and he welcomed it.

The brunette nodded, having to struggle to find words before she used the bond between them. Yes....it's a good angle, her voice half crooned into his mind as her nails sank into his back. Anchoring herself, her hips rolled to meet his to the best of her ability. All she wanted from him was more. So much more. The vision and offering he had painted in her head making her crave that as the end to their evening.

Keeping her pinned required effort, but he didn't lose that angle. He could rest when he took her on the other surfaces. For now he focused on making her fall over that edge as efficiently as possible. His own sounds took on a more feral side, groans that were almost growls as he maintained that punitive pace that had her reaching through the bond as she lost the sharp edge to her tongue.

Each new sound, especially as he sounded more unhinged, had her heart racing in her chest. That punitive pace had breathless whimpers and moans falling from her lips as she tried to catch her breath. At least this build towards a third one wasn't getting towards pain just yet. Almost as if the last time they did this had helped her become more attuned to the intensity he offered. The need to seemingly compete with himself. Or perhaps prove to her that it would always be like this.

His teeth dragged down the side of her neck, nipping at her shoulder as he kept steady. She felt amazing. There was a time where he might have mistakenly believed he could get his fill of her, but nothing could sate him when it came to her. Not when her body responded to him the way it did. His body drove his need into her, every thrust a firm reminder of how much it needed her. The worst nights had been without her company, left without the pleasure of her body's demands.

Her breath hitched as her nails dug in a bit harder, getting closer and closer to another release at the mix of that bit of pain with her pleasure. He knew just how hard to bite or to nip or how thoroughly to tease. Every time he had her this way, she responded so well. No one knew her body like he did. And she didn't want it to stop being this good if this was to be her partner until one or both of them died. Draco... her mind half moaned and half pleaded, already so close to another moment of bliss from his cock.

At the feel of his name on his mind, he continued to thrust and bite, giving her that mix of pleasure and pain he knew she enjoyed. His naughty little witch was a sucker for pain, and he couldn't blame her. Over the years, they'd learned how to hurt one another, but this, this was even better. Three years ago, he would have killed a seer for implying such domesticity between. Now? He'd probably still kill them, if only to keep his secret as far as how much he enjoyed his wife. "Darling," he said through gritted teeth, bucking more firmly into her.

The bites, his powerful thrusts. The way he sounded. All of it was just too much and not enough at the same time. That harder thrust tipped her over the edge on another near scream of pleasure that she tried to silence by claiming his lips, but it only resulted in needy and pleasure filled whimpers spilling into his mouth. Her nails dug into him as she tightened on his cock, grinding into him to draw out her pleasure.

Hisses filled their kisses as she continued to claw him. He loved wearing her marks. Loved the way they burned under the spray of his showers. A reminder that he had made her do it. That his actions had lead to her need to unleash everything that she was. He lived for it, even if he refused to say as much. He could spin it any which way he wanted, but Hermione was the only pleasure he found in an otherwise very narrowly accomplished existence. And when she clenched around him like that, it always shattered a piece of him. Chipped away at something he kept buried beneath layers of trauma. Her pleasure triggered his own and had him thrust into a handful more times before he stilled.

The kisses had her tremble before she grinned against his lips a little bit, breathless from pleasure but enjoy how she had him react to her. Because he would have made her stop clawing him if he didn't like it. Would their vows have stopped her from clawing him if he didn't want it? The idea had her head spin, making her moan softly at the feel of him filling her up all over again. Despite her anger at him altering her potions, she wouldn't stop him from being inside of her like that. Not when she had come to crave it.

Pressing her into the wall, he breathed heavily against her throat, sucking at the flesh before carrying her towards the chair. Dropping himself into it, he kept her astride him, remained inside her despite gravity doing its best to untangle them.

"Draco," she whined as he sucked at her throat before bringing her to the chair with him. As he kept her astride him, she almost writhed before pressing her chest to his as she pressed kisses along his jaw.

"Yes, Hermione?" he asked, his curled fingers settling under her chin to keep her gaze on his. They had time, and knowing them, he wouldn't take too long before his need for her consumed him and had him harden inside of her again. Especially if she continued the exploration of her lips, kissing and sucking away at him. He doubted he'd ever grow bored of their antics.

Letting her gaze meet his, pleasure clouded her deep brown eyes. His eyes were so silver and warm. Like melted mercury. There had been once that she had thought them dead and cold like an inferi's eyes. Not that she'd say that now. Something was changing between them and she was far too skittish to voice anything about it aloud. "You're going to drive me mad..."

"I haven't even begun to drive you mad," he vowed against her flesh, kissing and nipping where he could reach. No, if he wanted to drive her mad, he wouldn't be giving her pleasure at a rate that exceeded his own. Even then, he'd likely drive them both over the edge of sanity. "Is pleasure so uncomfortable that you fear for your mental state?" he asked teasingly. "Perhaps I should deny you..."

A shiver rolled through her as she tilted her head for him, letting him reach more of her throat and her jaw as she looked at him. This insatiable wizard that could break her apart and make her cry and she craved it. "Not uncomfortable...So very pleasurable that it can make my mind go numb," she murmured before she nipped a little harder at his bottom lip and almost pouted without realizing. "Don't you dare."

"Pouty," he narrowed his gaze on that lip, leaning forward to nip at it before kissing her for a while. Those lips of hers were plump and sweet, and he adored leaving them swollen and reddened. "Pleasure can be so much more satisfying when it's been denied," he reminded. Perhaps one day he'd properly punish her, make her beg and beg until he finally granted her the bliss she craved.

That one word had her blink a moment, about to protest that she obviously couldn't be pouting, before he nipped and kissed her lip. It had her shiver, her fingers combing through his hair as she flushed a deep shade of red. "...It can also be maddening...but that had been intense." Both were intense in very different ways.

The lack of rejection had him put those thoughts away. They had years ahead of them. Perhaps not the decades most couples strove for, but enough to make as many of his naughty thoughts into motion. Sometimes he felt like their own interactions were the makings of a madness so discreet, he couldn't quite quantify it himself. He was certain most viewed their relationship has nothing more than the result of faulty judgment and too many tortures.

"I rather enjoy our intensity," he teased her, kissing along her jaw. Any moment now, he'd be pulling her down on his renewed erection.

Their intensity made her feel like a person again. It allowed her to pretend like she wasn't broken, that she didn't have to make horrible decisions. The world narrowed down to the pleasure he gave her, to the new limits he pushed for them both. "As do I," she breathed softly, still brushing her fingers through his hair, tracing the scratch marks she'd already left on him.

"Can't blame the vows for it either..." she murmured quietly. All of this between them was just them. Not magic. Not vows or oaths. Just pure chemistry and attraction.

For a while, he'd wanted to blame the vows, but that didn't explain their times before them. It didn't track with the reality of their beast. If anything, the vows had merely made it that she knew he could never go beyond her limits. A failsafe. And though he enjoyed pushing her to the edge, part of him knew he'd never go beyond what she could handle.

"Definitely not," he agreed against her lips, opting to claim them rather than forage the depths of his feelings.

A whimper left her as he kissed her before she kissed him back, pressing closer to him. Letting herself get more comfortable in his lap even with him still inside of her body. At least she didn't have to divulge more than she had. She wasn't sure how she'd react or respond to being that open with him. Even if she enjoyed everything he did to her.

She had no right to be so desirable. Every taste of her lips made him want more. Crave more. Hermione was becoming an addiction and he never wanted it to stop. The heat of her cheeks, the crook of her neck, he touched his way to her breasts which he palmed, pinching at her nipples. He still had a whole trail of presents he couldn’t even think about over how hard she made him. Like he wasn’t spent and sated. He could never get his fill of her.

Gasping into his lips, she nipped at his bottom lip in simple retaliation for the pinch. Though even that retaliation was meant to be enjoyable. Teasing. Enticing. Everything they did was if she was honest with herself. And it was getting easier and easier to be honest with herself when it came to him.

“Awfully nippy today,” he smiled against her lips, giving her nipples a gentle twist with his pinch, rolling them roughly between his fingers. Pushing forward, he brought her closer, wanting a better angle. The air made his back sting where she’d clawed him, the skin now back in contact with the surrounding air.

"Are you complaining?" She managed to gasp against his lips, nipping at his bottom lip again to prove a point before she moaned, arching into his hands. That edge of pain with the pleasure of him touching her always made her want more. He couldn't possibly be ready for more of her already, could he?

Another nip had him beyond half-mast. “Complaining?” His reddened lip spread in amusement. “Preparing you for retaliation,” he nipped her lip more firmly, fingers tightening against her nipples and maintaining that hold. She was still wet and warm. He didn’t dare move as he felt himself stiffening for her. He hoped she never denied him or he’d likely go insane without her touch.

"Mhmm," she hummed before she gasped as he nipped her harder, held her harder. It had her almost writhe, pressing into him a little bit more, making it abundantly more clear that he was hardening inside of her. Experiencing that was so strange but so pleasurable as she trembled under the sensations.

Draco leaned and bit the side of her throat before sucking on it, keeping her still against his length. She felt so warm around him. The sort of comfort he wished he could wake up to. Leaning back he held her hips for a spell. “I wonder if your thighs are still as strong as they used to be,” he smoothed over them, up and down. Challenging would go over so much more enjoyably than demanding.

A moan left her lips as her nails lightly dragged down his arm. He kept hardening inside of her and she wanted more, it almost made her shift or roll her hips before he grabbed them. Hermione shivered before a slow smirk curved her lips. "Of course they are."

He met her gaze as though considering that statement. She’d been doing more reading than running after all.

“Show me,” he demanded, giving her the leeway to rise and fall over his length.

Arching a brow at that, she leaned in and nipped at his jaw a little harder before she drew back. Her arms loosely settled around his neck, draping around his shoulders. Considering him for a moment, as if she might consider getting off of him rather than riding him, she slowly ground her hips down against him before starting to rise and fall over his length in a slow pace to start.

"Don't believe me?" She asked with a ghost of a smirk.

“I’m sure you think you do,” he taunted, glad she hadn’t sauntered off as she’d seem to have contemplated. He would have chased her down, but this…this was better.

With his hands loose on either side of her waist, he watched as she got to work. Enjoying the way she pulled up and sank back down, his length reappearing and disappearing with every motion she made

"That wasn't a yes or a no," she groaned softly before starting to pick up the pace as she rose and lowered onto his cock. Her nails lightly dragged along his shoulders, not digging in just yet, but teasing that she would. If only to keep her marks all over him.

Noticing where he kept looking, she chuckled softly, her voice a breathy croon. "Like watching as you fill my body?"

“I do,” he didn’t precise if that was in regard to watching where they met or whether he believed her capable of getting them off without faltering. Slowly he pried his gaze to meet those chocolate hues.

His touch moved from her hips to her breasts, settling on her mounds. If he palmed them he couldn’t take back control, which required a near active effort.

Taking that to mean both, regardless of what he said, she arched her chest into his hands with a soft moan of pleasure, letting her gaze meet his as she rode him. Her body felt far too sensitive, but at least it wasn't like when he gave her the potion that had made every touch that much more intense.

A hint of a smirk curved her lips as he carefully made sure not to take control. She nipped at his bottom lip again, grinding her hips down against him.

“That’s it darling,” he encouraged her. As she nipped him. “You take me so well,” he praised, leaning in to steal her smirk away with a kiss.

Draco focused his touch on those breasts. He had more than the palmful she’d had when he’d first taken her. Their weight more significant as he grasped them. They felt warm and full, and those hardened nipples an absolute delight to roll between firm fingers.

Hermione moaned into his lips before she parted her lips and let her tongue try to keep control of the kiss. He so rarely let her take the lead when they were in bed, which wasn't a complaint, but she wanted to have the control for a little while. Especially if he intended to make her as boneless and satisfied as he had alluded to. The man was far too good at all of this.

Gradually increasing the pace, she deepend that kiss with him as one hand moved back into his hair, griping the back of his head securely so she could keep that kiss.

Their honeymoon aside, he hadn’t willingly let her take control like by this. Not since she’d taken it at the club their first time. His toes dug into the ground, as if he could keep himself that way from bucking into her. Especially when she took away his ability to speak with that delicious tongue of hers. He sucked on it, inviting her in and greedily keeping her there.

Her moans were muffled into the kiss, a hum of pleasure against his tongue, as she stayed there to keep tasting his mouth. She was almost certain she could still taste herself on his tongue. While that should have made her blush more, it made her almost whimper as she gripped the back of his head a little tighter and ground down against him. The pace was steady and firm, making sure he hit exactly where they would want him to.

Those sounds made him groan into her mouth. Especially when she clung to him as she impaled herself him. He knew her body, and he swore he could feel that soft ridged area she ached for him to touch. His length filling her with every fall of her hips. Her weight giving it even more sensation. Like she was warmer and more firmly set around his girth. Faster, He encouraged her.

What was it about his sounds that had her crave hearing more of them? It had her deepen the kiss on a moan of pleasure into his own mouth, her tongue tangling with his. She lightly dragged her nails along the back of his neck, feeling a little bit bolder, taking this as her gift of him giving her control for the time being. Say please. Her voice crooned into his mind as she slowed a little and ground against him.

Those words did things to him he never thought possible. Are you claiming your reward? his mind brushed against hers gently. Normally he would have made sure she was the one begging him please, but they did have an agreement, and Draco was a wizard of his word. Part of him was certainly curious to say please even if it went against most of his desires.

Drawing back enough to nip his bottom lip before she deepened their kiss again, she kept her pace a bit slower than it had been. Even if all she wanted to do was listen to exactly what he did. I either claim it now, between times that you're in control, or later this weekend with you tied to a bed. Your choice, her mind crooned through his, giving him the option. At least this once. He did give her options after all. Might as well make him giving her control a little easier.

A smile lingered on his lips as he heeded her words. There was that facet of his wife he'd expected to surface sooner, and yet, he wasn't turned off by it. She'd always had fire to her, always known what she'd wanted, and though he loved stripping her of it in bed, he felt curious. Is that so? His palmed her breasts as he considered. This was her birthday weekend. Perhaps he'd allow both under the right circumstances. Leaning forward, he let his cheek brush her as he inched closer to her ear. "Please," he breathed the single word against the shell of her ear.

It is. She answered back, pressing into his hands as she considered him. The light brush of his cheek to hers felt oddly intimate, even more so than what they were doing. That single word that was breathed had a shiver rolling down her spine. How many people had ever gotten a willing please out of Draco Malfoy? "Since my husband asked so nicely," she murmured, nipping his jaw before picking up the pace, faster than it was before slowing down with a soft moan.

Her soft spoken statement and the way she began picking up speed was enough to make him groan for her. His head tilting to grant her access to nip at him as she pleased. Though Draco was fond of manners, it wasn't often that he asked nicely for anything, especially in such a setting. But then his wife wasn't just any witch. She was his. And though he might not often tell her, he was hers. It didn't matter in the end, he trusted her. Even if he didn't openly say so.

She enjoyed the sounds he made. Any groan or growl or moan from him had more desire roll through her. As soon as he tilted his head she nipped and nibbled along his neck as she kept up that pace. Her hands traced down his back before dragging back up right as she nipped harder at his neck. He left marks on her all of the time, and while she left evidence of what they did in claw marks, she wanted to leave a bite.

Normally he’d warn her against such a thing, but he had time to heal any marks she left before heading back to the manor. As proudly as he wore her markings, he had to limit those that might cause issue with his master. Especially when their next meeting would likely end badly. “Mmmng,” he ground his teeth into the moan. Enjoying just watching her ride him and taking her desires.

That harder nip she sucked on lightly and ground down against him and continued that pace. Her nails lightly dug into his arms, that sound making her tremble. You feel so good inside of me. Her mind crooned to his, praising him as he often praised her and crooned to her while he was inside of her.

He knew he’d have a mark there from her antics, and all he could do was moan. Especially with how she ground down on him. And the way she praised him, he didn’t dislike it. I enjoy being deep inside of you, his mind supplied back. She felt great, and fuck if he wouldn’t repay every marking and tease.

Kissing along his neck, she nipped at his ear, tugging lightly at it as she moaned right in his ear. They both seemed rather fueled and reactive to sounds. She came down on him a little harder, making her moan louder as he continually hit that sensitive spot inside of her. Her breaths were a little more ragged as she took the time to say out loud against his ear. "Is that why you made sure to keep inside of me...when you sat down? So we could both feel you growing hard again in the heat of my body?"

Her voice was half croon and half ragged pant as she moved, clearly seeing just what her words would do to him as he would often see what his words did to her.

It was more than her sounds, it was the heat of her breath on his ear, combined with that weight of hers. All of it had him wanting more of her. When she spoke, he swore her questions had his length react with a twitch inside of her. As if it could get even more of that heat she offered. He needed more if that were even possible. He couldn't stop himself from pushing up into her, meeting that grind of her hips into him. "I wasn't done with you," he said gripping her hips, fighting himself no to take control. He doubted he'd ever be done with her.

That arch up into her body had her nip harder at his ear as she increased the pace a little bit more. "Are you ever done with me, darling?" She crooned the words, and before that might have been a complaint. But it didn't sound like a complaint now. It sounded like a tease, or perhaps something she felt as well. "You better not try to take control right now, Draco," she managed to get out, though her name had left her on a gasp.

"Trying," he barely managed the word. Not bringing her down on him was hard. All he wanted was to make more of her sounds escape her, to be the cause of them, and not only because she was taking them from him. With labored breath and a struggle for a grip on her hips, he forced his back into the armchair. "Fuck," he swore, head falling back with the breathe expletive.

A bit of a giggle left her lips at that, and she came down harder onto him, like how he would likely have pulled her down onto his cock. She trailed her hands from his shoulders down onto his chest as she ground on him and moaned louder, her head falling back for a moment. "You'll...get control back in a little bit...enjoy the view," she half teased and half taunted.

A view it certainly was. Her pert breasts bounced towards him with every rise and fall. Those harder motions were almost as good as when he forced her hips down on him. He watched her body, from how her body bounced to where they met. His length vanishing in and out of her. Draco knew he wouldn't last much longer especially if she continued to slam down like that. "Such a good view," he moaned.

The continual hard strikes to the cluster of nerves inside of her had moans leaving her lips as she let her nails dig into his chest, knowing that he'd keep her claw marks even after the weekend if the trend between them continued. But she kept that harder and faster pace, moaning as she nodded her head. Getting to see most o fhim like this was nice, her gaze roaming over his body.

When he'd challenged her to do this, he wasn't sure he believed her thighs would have kept their strength, but caught between them, he definitely knew she still had those muscles. Perhaps even a few he didn't know about. The firmness of how she held him as she slammed down on his length was almost painful, and fuck did he want more. It had sounds of his own escape him, colliding with hers as she built him further and further.

Hermione might not run the way she used to, but she paced the manor when she studied, chased after her cat, and did walk the grounds. Even if he didn't see much of that. Then there was playing these games with him that caused a delicious burn through her muscles. Something to remember their time together by. A whimper of a moan left her lips, coming down on him hard but quickening her pace as she built closer to orgasm again, even knowing he'd likely take control all over again once she did.

Now that he had more sitting and reading to do, he'd certainly have to take advantage of all his wife had to offer. Knowing better than to use his vocal chords, he let his mind brush hers. Might have to have you ride my in the library sometime, he supplied though whether it was that coherent he couldn't tell. Not with how steadily she was building him. There were so many ways he could enjoy her. Not unlike the time he'd had her like this on his face, only this time she had him a blubbering mess.

Why was it that every time his mind brushed hers it felt far more intimate? Like him whispering in her ear but echoing directly into her. Where everyone else will also be working on this translation? Now darling....you'd have to drive them all out again first. She half teased, tryign to keep the other thought from forming in her head so he wouldn't glean the other idea that was starting to form. She didn't need to be giving him ideas, but it was hard to shield them from him while she was building so close to release with those sure movements of her hips.

Draco’s mind was going in multiple places at her thoughts. The thought of kicking everyone out to have her, hell he didn’t even mind being caught. As much as he didn’t want anyone seeing her in any state of undress, he also enjoyed them knowing how good she was for him. His mind was a sequence of expletives as he felt that rising pleasure consume him. Especially as he caught glimpses of her desires.

Her husband was shameless. While he didn't like others seeing her in any state of undress, she could just imagine the creative solutions he'd come up with for that. Like he had when he had hidden her that first time his men had come into his room saying she was missing. It made the image more vivid in her own head as he caught those glimpses. Her in his lap in the library, her skirt hiding that he was inside of her while they worked, trying not to cave to either of their rampant desires. Another moan left her lips as that blush colored her cheeks again.She was getting so close, grinding between every few thrusts to add that bit of friction she wanted.

That image she projected was enough to undo him. Now there was no way around it. The moment they got back to research he’d wear her. He even knew how he’d make her loose the most precious whimpers. It had him moan, that pooling pleasure gathering at the end of his spine shooting forward. As she ground and impaled herself he spilled, and bit her shoulder to hold back the depths of his pleasured groan.

As he bit her, she gasped, the sound turning into a cry of pleasure as she tightened on him and ground through both of their climaxes. Her fingers combed through his hair, gripping it as she tried not to buck her hips further into him. Shivers rolled up and down her spine. Four. And while her body was incredibly sensitive, it wasn't as sensitive as the last time he had worked her up this much. Which worked in her favor, she supposed.

His arms wrapped around her, forehead leaning against her shoulder. His darling wife’s mind was quite the trove of inspiration in their throes of passion. Slowly leaning back into the chair he brought her with him. He craved as much of her touching him as he could manage. He didn’t slip out of her either, remaining inside that slick hot cunt of hers. His. All his.

“You want them to know how much of a good witch you are for me don’t you?” His voice was low and scratchy.

As he pulled her back into the chair with him, she shivered. The feeling of him still inside of her making her shiver, trying to focus on catching her breath as her arms wraped around him loosely. They were going to end up making a mess of this estate. His low voice against her skin had her tremble, almost tightening around him at the thought.

"...Pretty sure they can guess..." she breathed, neither confirming nor denying the question.

At this point, he was certain his men were taking wagers on which month he'd knock her up on. Thumb smoothing over the blossoming bite mark of a bruise on her shoulder he leaned to kiss it. His upper body bore a number of her claw marks.

"They'll do more than guess when I'm done with you," he promised, pressing warm lips to any part of her skin he could reach.

She shivered, holding back a whimper as his thumb smoothed over the bite mark on her shoulder. It stung a little, ached, but she didn't shy away and sighed softly as he kissed it. Her fingers very gently smoothed over her scratch marks. They always left some mark or other on each other.

"I'm sure some of them know considering you nearly had me in the foyer....did have me in the library..." she admitted, blushing a bit at the memory.

There was a time where Draco would have had his men hold her down while he had her. That was before he’d had a taste. Before he’d started enjoying her regularly. He’d like to claim it was before he married her, but then he’d never made a spectacle of her. Not the way he had a few of the ladies at the club.

“Blaise and Theo hardly count,” he shivered as she brushed against one of the claw marks she’d left on him. “We have yet to properly explore the various surfaces of the Manor…”

Hermione would have tried to fight tooth and nail if his men had attempted to hold her down. They'd have been hexed. She didn't want them to see her nude and at her husband's mercy. Her fingers continued to brush along his marks and she kept blushing. "It wasn't Blaise and Theo that were in the library with Lauren...and it wasn't just Blaise that interrupted in the foyer...."

But the idea of him taking her on other surfaces in the manor had her shiver and she lightly bit down on her bottom lip.

Though she made a fair point, Draco also count really remember who had been where. Not on the nights where her body had been the only thing on his mind. "And I'm sure it'll be more than Blaise and Theo when I bend you over the bar in the cellar, or take advantage of an empty dungeon to put those chains to a more pleasurable use," he spoke into her ear. There were so many rooms in the Manor, many of which she hadn't a clue existed. "Might even pay the family portraits a visit so they can hear how lovely you sound with me down your throat."

Shivers rolled down her spine and her grip tightened on him, feeling another surge of desire roll through her at that degrading and claiming thought. Chains in the dungeons. But at the idea of the portraits? The blush went all the way up to her ears. She knew of a few of the portraits that could be in there. "Pretty sure your family portraits would just shout or growl insults at me, darling...."

There was a reason he'd put them away. Kept them away from her as much as he could. He also didn't dislike the idea of making them angry. "Likely," he agreed with her, nipping along her jaw. "Could silence them," he reminded. They couldn't silence them per say, but they could certainly create a soundproof barrier. Either way, he would enjoy feeding every inch of him down her throat.

A shiver rolled down her spine at that and she tried not to fidget or squirm in his lap. "Really wanting to have them watch as you claim your wife, Draco?" She couldn't imagine he'd enjoy them insulting her and him. Or perhaps he'd grin at how he was breaking their expectation.

Draco smiled against the side of her neck. "Why wouldn't I want them to see the future of their precious lineage," he breathed against her flesh, licking behind her ear before nipping at the cartilage. Always a kindness with a side of pain. Whether she had his heir or not, he wasn't lying. The Malfoy line could end on his reign, or be extended. She would be the only deciding factor.

Hermione shivered at the warmth of his breath. "Due to their own ire?" She asked, but whimpered softly at the lick and the nipping of his teeth. She presed close, moving to nestle her face in against his neck, pressing a few kisses there as she breathed him in. Perhaps she should move soon, but she was rather certain he wasn't done with her yet.

"Their ire is not mine," he reminded. If he gave a thought to their ideals, he wouldn't have married Hermione in the first place. Even less fucked her every chance he got without bothering to pull out. No, he enjoyed filling her. She was his, and he reveled in that fact. "Don't you enjoy knowing the anger you cause just by existing?" he breathed.

"Oh, I've realized that for a while now. Unless you show your ire by taking the object of your anger to bed," she drawled with a note of amusement and a bit of cheek. And he wouldn't have kept filling her. He was taking his tonic still even if she couldn't take hers. So it would be fine. Plus, neither of them had claimed to love the other. The vows should keep them out of trouble there. "...I do at times. When it doesn't get me hurt..." like with that damn cursed seal from before their wedding.

“We never make it to bed when we’re angry.” The few times had either left apart or against some surface hashing it out. One was a far more pleasant than the other. Though he’d never admit it, he slept better with her at his side. Certainly woke in better spirits. Especially after a few rounds with her. “You’re mine to hurt as I please,” he reminded in an undertone. “And I have no intention of sharing.” It wasn’t something he enjoyed. Not his things, nor his lovers. He was far too selfish for that.

Well, she couldn't argue with him. They either didn't touch each other at all when angry or they were against a wall or a table or some other object. "And as I allow you to," she reminded right back, remembering some of the things he'd want to try at some point. She nipped lightly at his jaw and smiled a little bit more. Good to know he wouldn't allow others to hurt her. She already knew no one else could touch her.

His touch was a bit more gentle at those words, following up her spine and down her front. “And as you allow,” he brushed his nose against hers before claiming her lips in a slow kiss. He smoothed her thigh, and touched his way back to her cheeks. It went both ways, but he hadn’t limited her. Not truly.

The gentle trace up her back and down the center of her chest had goosebumps raising along her arms. Pressing closer, she kissed him back gently, letting herself just melt into that kiss. He was being so much more gentle than she would have expected.

As she drew nearer, he continued to caress her body. There'd be ample time to bruise and warm her skin. Every meeting of lips added an infinitesimally small adjustment. Widening the kiss until he drew forward with his tongue. A tender exploration that deepened into a more commanding delve. His strokes of fingers building until they latched around the back of her neck. I think I'll have you on all fours on this floor next, his mind supplied.

The slow caress had her shivering under the contact. His hands felt so good tracing her skin. Her lips slowly parted for him without any hesitation, the tenderness of the kiss making her chest feel warmer. It was just appreciation. Couldn't be more than that. Couldn't be that either of them were developing feelings for the other. They were too twisted and broken for all of that. On all fours, hmmm? Cushioning charm or no cushioning charm? If he was taking control again, she'd let him take control of the whole encounter.

Draco began retreating in the exchange to allow him to nip and suck that lower lip. No cushioning charm, his mind brushed against hers while he nipped at her chin and up her jaw. His hands settled on her rear, gripping either cheek firmly. "I have half a mind to spank you through it," he taunted. The sound of his palm against her rear was one he was rather fond of.

A soft whine left her as he drew back and she had to quiet the sound before she made herself blush more. After five orgasms she should not crave more of his affection and attentions. She should actually want to get distance. Rather than enjoy the fact he planned on having her on her knees for him. I suppose I can deal with that... she murmured through his mind. She ground against him and nipped at his bottom lip. "Did I do something to deserve being spanked?"

"Just in case," he nipped at her lobe. "Can't have you getting too comfortable." Truth be told, he enjoyed watching her squirm. Knowing that when she sat she would think of him, it was too delicious a thought. She did things to him. Made him feel things that he couldn't quantify or control. That was reason enough to want to spank her in his opinion.

A light pout curved her lips as she looked at him, but there was that mischief dancing in her eyes as she looked at him. "Considering you want me so wrecked I'm barely awake, I have a feeling I won't get too comfortable," she breathed, shifting in his lap. She'd have to get off of him soon.

That thought alone almost had him hardening again. By the time he got her to bed, she'd be his to enjoy as he wished. "I'll make sure to save the memories for you to revisit our time later," he crooned against her ear. The level of trust she was offering him. He could do anything to her if she wasn't conscious. He'd leave her some clues for her to know what he'd done. And he meant it about the memory of it. She'd know what he did if she wanted.

Hermione shifted in his lap, almost moaning at how that felt with him still inside of her. Sensitive. She was so sensitive. And the idea that he might still continue with her being that wrecked? It had her shiver. Closing her eyes, she took in a slow deep breath. "I'll hold you to that, darling..."

Seizing her hips, he kept her there a while longer before lifting her off. "Until then," he met her gaze, keeping that hold on the back of her neck. "You can clean up the mess you've made of me," he said, bringing her attention to his length glistening with both their pleasures. He still had trouble believing how lucky he'd gotten in the spouse department.

As he lifted her hips off of him, she trembled and bit down on her bottom lip. She could feel him dripping down her inner thigh and the blush heated all over again. He was going to fill her over and over again tonight. And it had her tremble. "I'm half tempted to use magic to do so," she hinted with a bit of cheek even as she carefully got off of his lap completely and moved down onto her knees between his legs.

Shame and pleasure both surged through her at this. Arousal. Heat. What was he doing to her? If there had been any judgement or taunts she might have pulled away, but he seemed to know just how far to push her. She leaned forward, grasping his length with one hand and slowly licked up the underside of it as she closed her eyes.

Draco watched her as she sank to her knees, his grasp on her lessening until he released her to do so. Instead of her wand, she was seizing his length. When her tongue slicked the underside of him, his head fell back with a groan. She felt amazing, and he wished he could just harden again. If she continued, he was certain he would be hard again.

"Mmm the things I'd do for that tongue of yours, darling..." Did she understand how she affected him? Was she aware of just how delicious she was?

Taking her time, Hermione slowly licked over the side of his length, trailing from the base of him to the tip. And what would you do for my tongue? Her voice crooned through his mind with a note of amusement as she continued that attention on him. She was sure that he would do something for it, but she wasn't nearly as aware of what all she did to him.

His fingers combed through her hair, keeping it out of her face as she licked over him, cleaning them off his length. He was sensitive after everything, and every time her tongue slid over his tip, he felt himself thicken for her. "Not much I wouldn't do," he admitted. "From cold blooded murder, to allowing you that having me tied to bed idea, can't say I have that many limits," he admitted.

Relaxing under his fingers in her hair, she carefully parted her lips and took him into her mouth, sucking lightly to continue to clean the evidence of their sex off of him. Not many limits for my tongue or in general? She swirled her tongue around him and drew off of his length as she opened her eyes.

His head leaned back again, peering at her from beneath his lids. She was perfect. He brushed through her hair and cupped her cheeks. His thumbs swiped across her cheekbones. "For you?" he groaned. He'd taken a wand hand off a pureblood for merely touching her. "Do you even have to ask?" Those swirls of her tongue had him hardening further. He was halfway there, and he had no doubt she'd have him ready for her in no time.

That gentle brush of his hand against her cheeks, his thumb across her cheekbones had her leaning into his hands almost like her cat might have. His fingers on her skin or his hand in her hair always felt so divine. Not that she'd say it. Not that she would point out that things kept shifting between them. "Mmm, perhaps I just want to hear you say it..." she drawled before licking over his length again as if it were some treat she wanted to enjoy.

The teasing breath of her words tickled against his length. "Hear me say what, darling? That I would go to extreme measures to..." that tongue of hers had him losing his train of thought. He wanted more. Needed more of her. "To...have you," he groaned. It was more than he intended to say.

Extreme measures. That almost felt like an understatement. Especially after discarding the wand hand of a fellow former classmate and making sure she had no where else to go than to him. Licking over him, she swirled her tongue around him, careful not to focus too much on the tip. Didn't want him getting too oversensitive. "It's a good thing that I'm yours then, isn't it?"

His. He knew she was his, but hearing her state as much. That she acknowledged as much. It was as sweet as the gift she was offering him by the end of their evening. He let her continue to tease him with that mouth and tongue of hers. "All mine," he agreed, pushing her hair back, gripping it in a hand. Pulling her head back, he leaned forward to claim her lips. He could taste them both on her tongue. "On all fours, darling," he encouraged her to find a spot on the floor she enjoyed. It'd be hard on both their knees, but it would be worth the pain.

Before she could get him deeper into her mouth again, he pulled her head back by her hair, making her look up at him. Kissing him back, her lips parted for him, glad that he didn't seem to mind tasting them both like this. The idea alone having her shiver lightly. Though as he encouraged her to move, she carefully got up off of her knees and moved to an area of the room that was smooth floor rather than the rug. The last thing she needed was rug burn on her hands and her knees. Or any other part of her.

Settling down onto her hands and knees, she did make sure all of her hair went over her left shoulder. "You better take amazing care of me once you have me dazed, blissed, and aching," she half demanded and half teased.

"Have I ever not taken good care of you?" he asked her, bringing a knee on the ground behind her, nudging her legs open with the other. For a moment he just smoothed up and down her back, tilting her shoulders forward and then bringing her hips up. He palmed her arse and spread her cheeks to get a good look at all of her. The slickness that still glistened on her inner thighs from where he'd leaked out of her. He slipped a thumb inside of her to make sure she still had enough slickness to accomodate his desires.

"No..." she admitted quietly even as she blushed, letting him adjust her position. Her legs spread a bit further apart and her shoulders dropping forward a bit more. Not having something to grip was going to be a problem, but she'd handle that a little bit later. Hermione squirmed a little as he spread her open a bit again, looking at her the way he was having her blushing scarlet. The act of cleaning him with her tongue and teasing him had kept her slick enough for him to keep going even as a soft whine left her as he pushed his thumb inside.

Pleased at how slick it came out, he pulled his hand back to give her right cheek a firm spank. “Do you think I wouldn’t take care of you?” He demanded before spanking her again. If she was going to think that way, then he certainly had a reason to remind her otherwise. She was his. This ass he was spanking was his. “Whose are you?” He demanded.

That spank nearly had her squirm as a gasp left her lips and she shook her head. "No...," before she could say more that next spank had her gasp. Trying not to squirm, she took in a deep breath. "Haven't had the chance to see how you'd take care of me in that state though," she attempted to reason before she chewed at her bottom lip. "I'm yours."

“Mine,” he echoed instead of heeding her rationale. Truth was her words were like an aphrodisiac. She was his. The knowledge enough to make him feel a pulse in his cock. He spanked her twice more before seizing himself and slamming into her. “I’ll take great care of you,” he punctuated his statement with a smack that was more sound than pain, gripping the slapped flesh firmly. He would never leave her uncared for. Not even unconscious, especially in such a vulnerable state. “Tell me you’re mine,” he demanded.

The continued spanks along her rear had her squirming before she cried out as soon as he slammed into her. She ground back against him, her hands planted against the ground as she whimpered softly. He felt so good buried deep inside of her. Grinding against him as he smacked her rear again, she moaned softly. "I'm yours. All yours..."

Hearing her say it had him thrust more firmly, pulling her hips back into him. As though he could claim her with every one of them. It had him start with a pace he knew he wouldn’t be able to sustain long. Not with how she made those soft sounds between pain and pleasure. He smacked her rear, as if to remind her that she was his.

Those firm thrusts had her moaning and letting him take the lead. As pleasurable as it was to take the lead and ride him, this was better. The smacks had her squirm, grinding against him with soft gasps of his name.

He had to consider his next moves. Knew he had to strategize how to exhaust her and still have it in him to enjoy her while she came in and out of it. Come morning she’d feel everything, every last depravity of their time together. It had him gripping her more firmly, as though it could anchor him into reality.

One firm thrust and then another, he pulled out of her clutching her plump cheeks. All that slick heat he yearned to slam himself back in. There were still so many surfaces, and he was a wizard of his word. With an arm around her middle, he helped her up and bent her over the nearby table. The one covered in vials of oils and products their masseuses had made use of.

With her in place he didn’t wait to align himself again, pushing up into her. Pinning her between the table and his body as he relentlessly returned to that punitive pace.
The harder grip to her hips had her squirm as she was tugged back into his thrusts. Each time he filled her it was such a delicious feeling she couldn't stop the moans. Already she could feel herself building up again. When he pulled out, she whimpered and nearly looked over her shoulder at him before he helped her get up and moved with her.

Bent over this other table, she didn't even have a chance to taunt or tease before he was back inside of her. It pulled another moan of his name from her lips, feeling the warmth and hard edge of his body everywhere.

There was a softness to her that was newer. Though he attributed it to the loss of those sharp angles of her body for fuller curves, it was more than that. It was the way she yielded to him. The way his name fell from her lips, begging for more.

Crying out to Merlin didn’t feel sufficient. Not with how euphoric it was to be inside of her. It had his breath ragged, fingers digging into her sides.

Those ragged breaths behind her had her whimpering as she tried not to squirm. There were going to be bruises where he gripped her and she didn't care. She just wanted more. To not have to think about everything that they had to do. And to feel like, if only for a little while, that this could be more than what it was. Even if it was a lie to herself.

Every small shift in her gait was reflected in how she felt around his cock. Tighening around him, squeezing him with delicious warmth, adding tension to an experience that already tested the limits of his stamina. When they were skin to skin like this, he could allow the world around them to chip away. He'd focus on the dire situations at hand once he resurfaced. Until then, she was all that mattered.

Pleasure built and tingled against her skin, nearly stealing her breath again as she tried not to fall over the edge too quickly. But he just felt so good inside of her. So good...like he was...no... she didn't mean to project the thought and likely didn't realize, redirecting her thoughts before that one could fully form as her release drew closer and closer.

Like I'm what, his mind crooned, wanting to see the thought to its end. Even if he wanted to slow to tease her, his hips were lost to this cadence. There was no way he was going to stop. Not when she felt so wonderful. Beneath them, the table grated against the floor, protesting the firmness and speed with which he slammed into her.

Gripping the table she whimpered, another breathless moan leaving her lips as she closed her eyes, trying not to blush at the absuridty of what she had been starting to think. She shook her head, not wanting to share it. Because she couldn't lie. Couldn't say that it was something other than what it was.

That shake of her head, the way she clung to the table for dear life, even if she’d answered her wasn’t sure he’d hear it. As curious as he’d been, the feeling was soon overpowered by heat and tension. Every thrust building him higher and higher. Her name fell from his lip in praise while his fingers continued to mar her complexion with blossoms of budding bruises.

Relieved when he didn't press for the answer, that pleasure continued to build more, and more. That tightening grip with those thrusts finally pushed her over the edge again and she cried out as she tightened on his length again. Her nails clawed at the table as she squirmed back against him, panting to try and catch her breath.

Draco chased that feeling, slamming through her tightening grasp as he did. It wasn’t much longer that he spilled into her, a harsh groan punctuating his climax. Leaning forward he kissed between her shoulders, giving two more thrusts before pulling away. He smoothed over her back and sides, trying to catch his breath.

Feeling him spilling inside of her again she whimpered softly, glancing back over her shoulder. She let herself rest against the table, not bothering to try and cover herself up at the moment. Her cheeks were flush, eyes a little unfocused, and she was trying to catch her breath. He was so good at taking care of her physically. So good at it.

All that relaxation and she likely had rebuilt all that tension in her muscles again. Not wanting to bother with clothes, he pulled her in closer, pressing her back to his chest. “Shall I fly us to our quarters?” He offered. It was still something she didn’t have much appreciation for though she was getting better at it .

As he pulled her up, drawing her in against him, she turned her head to nuzzle against his shoulder with a soft sigh. "Yes please," she murmured. If there were any other gifts for her that he had gotten, she was fine with letting them and the surprises for them wait. This was already a better start to her birthday than she'd had in years.

For a moment he just kissed the side of her neck. They were slick and sticky from oils and all that they’d done. He was grateful for a room with less furnishings than some of the others the estate had to offer. Eventually he held her tight, and summoned their wands before allowing those dark tendrils of smoke to rise around them. The door slammed open, granting them passage. Lights flickered as he barreled up a flight of stairs and down a few halls. Another set of doors opening for them, closing before he settled them on solid ground.

Turning her head claimed her lips in an unyielding kiss. His, she was his, all his. His fingers brushed her lower lip as he deepened the exchange. How are you feeling?

The kisses had her eyes flutter closed. Even with how sticky they both were, from sweat, the oils, and everything else, she was more content like this with him than she wasn't. Her arm settled around his on her, closing her eyes as she braced for the movement. She didn't feel like she was going to be sick when this happened anymore, but it still made her stomach lurch and she felt a little unsteady on her feet afterwards. The kiss helped ground her a little bit more, easily parting her lips for him.

Tired....sore...very well pleasured.. she listed off, but her mind wasn't nearly as sluggish or half asleep as he likely wanted her to be.

Rest, darling, I've got you, his mind responded as he plucked her from the ground and tucked her in his arms against his chest. He held his wand in his dominant hand and used it to get the bath started and dim the lights overhead. A few more flicks had scented salts added into the mix. There was no point bothering in oils. Their bodies had enough clinging to them.

Where several months ago she would have seen that as a threat, she let herself simply listen to the suggestion. Her arms looped around his neck loosely and her eyes closed for a moment as she leaned in against his chest and nuzzled there. He was warm and she felt more content than she wanted to admit to him. Luckily he wasn't asking.

As much as they'd agreed on this, part of him had doubted she'd revoke her consent when faced with the prospect. Instead she settled against him, nuzzled him as he set their wands down and carried her into the deep recessed bath with him. Even by muggle standards it was large. Enough to have them comfortable within the water. Looking around, he grabbed the bar of soap, he began lathering soap bubbles over her. Careful to clean off every last bit of their activities away.

The warmth of the water was almost a surprise, but it had a contented sigh leave her lips as she stayed curled up against him, letting him wash and dote on her. Each touch was so very gentle compared to some of the things they'd done in bed and out of it to each other. Resting her head on his shoulder, she slowly opened her eyes to at least glance around the bathroom. The lights were dim and it smelled fantastic in here.

Closing her eyes again, she let him dote on her and take care of her. Fatigue was catching up with her and if he let her, she would start to fall asleep from contentment and very likely exhaustion. She hadn't slept as well as usual with her hormones raging through her for the first time in years. Now it almost felt safe to jus tlet herself relax further.

In school, he'd remembered house mates with their kittens. The way they'd curl up and fall asleep in the most ludicrous of times. After everything he had done to her, it amazed him how easily she closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift. Keeping her steady with an arm around her back, he brushed his fingers up her cheekbone to her hair, tucking chestnut curls behind her ear in slow steady motions. A small pause before continuing to wash her. He kept every touch as light as he could, not wanting to jolt her with pain. She got enough of that from him on a near daily basis.

That arm curled around her had her stay settled in close to him. This was what he had wanted after all, her to doze so he could keep doting on her. The light touch along her cheekbone and into her hair had her lean into that touch, her mind brushing his. Though even her mental voice sounded more relaxed and quiet. I'm fine....you take good care of me, she opened her eyes a little, holding back a yawn just barely as she gave him a more content, blissful, and sleepy smile before she closed her eyes and nuzzled in against his neck.

For a while longer, he kept her in the water. Allowed her muscles to soak in the salt water a while longer. The warmth of her body against his, her mind gently giving him permission to take what he wanted. Truth was, he would take care of her as long as he lived. Though he'd never had a definitive view of the future, he caught glimpses every so often. More and more she featured in them. Once she was all cleaned and drowsy, he summoned towels and carried her out of the bath and straight to bed.

The warm water and his gentle touches had her falling half asleep rather easily, knowing he wouldn't let her slip into the water or let her faul. Which was such a stark contrast to their past that she didn't want to look at it. Luckily, as she was now in that half asleep state, she didn't have to. As he carried her, she almost whined as he set her down in the bed. But it was ncie and warm as well.

He settled her carefully on the bed, tucking her under the covers. She was so tired, he let her rest the time it took to put the towels away and bring their wands to the bedside. As much as he reveled in the fact that she was giving herself to him, he wouldn't risk her. Not with the chips having fallen as they had. Carefully, he climbed into bed beside her. For some time, he lay there, leaving tender kisses on her body. Smoothing over her with a warm hand.

"You're absolutely stunning," he murmured against her shoulder. It was easier to compliment her like this, without the need to hold back.

She carefully settled in bed, staying tucked in and as soon as he moved in closer and touched her, another soft sigh left her lips. Those gentle kisses had her body stay relaxed and had her tilting her head without even realizing to let him have easier access to her neck, her shoulder. Anywhere he really wanted to touch. The gentle compliments had a soft hum of acknowledgement leave her, but she wasn't sure he actually said anything at all. It could have been her mind supplying things.

There was the lightest tremor to his fingers as they traveled her body. The vale of her breasts, the expanses of her taut stomach. He explored her, trailing down the front of one thigh and up the other. Drawing closer to his desires and yet avoiding it. He could do anything to her. It was a heady kind of power. Especially when even asleep she seemed to crave his touch.

“Months ago, I would have done unspeakable things to you,” he breathed against her breast, gently sucking on it, careful to only tease and taste, slowly forcing it to peak for him.

He kissed his way to the next plump mound to repeat the process. “Now I…” he began and wasn’t quite sure how to finish that statement so he focused on her nipple.

“I want…” he kissed down her sternum. “To worship…” he kissed his way lower. “Every inch of you.” His breath lingered between her thighs, pressing a kiss to her folds before gently tracing them.

All of what she was feeling had to be a dream. While Draco had small bursts of being gentle and doting and attentive, there was no way sh ewas feeling him be so gentle and slow with her. How she could feel his mouth on her breast. A wonderful dream, perhaps, of how she would have thought being intimate with her husband might be one day. Back when she was a teenager.

The idea of it being him though? It had soft moans, quiet and breathless, left her lips as she shifted on the bed slightly but didn't try to draw away from him. He had already woken her up with sex, what was putting her to bed with it going to do?

Her legs quivered as kisses were pressed to her core, threatening to close on his head as soft, unintelligible murmurs of pleasure fell from her lips.

Draco settled his hands on her inner thighs as she tried to collapse them over his head. He was as gentle as he could be, keeping her on display for him, allowing his tongue to slip along her slit. Teasing her with steady laps.

“You taste like the sweetest honey,” he murmured to her core, giving her clit a light suckle. He kissed her mons, her belly, above her navel. A trail of kisses he claimed all the way to her chin. By which point his hips had slotted against hers, a hand reaching between them to align himself.

With his tip against her entrance he remained there. Though they’d certainly had tender moments on honeymoon, he’d never been this gentle with anyone. Slowly he inched forward, pushing through and pausing before continuing on. His throat felt dry. It burned as though he wanted to say something, anything. Instead he released the base of his length to brush her hair back, resuming that slow thrust forward.

Soft moans left her lips, murmurs of pleasure as her legs stayed open at his gentle prompting. Each gentle touch and kiss and brush of his lips had her tremble. Pleasure blended into the exhaustion,to her half-conscious state. As long as he wasn't too rough, she'd likely stay in that lightly dazed state and allow him to keep having his way with her.

She distantly knew he was speaking, but her mind couldn't make any sense of it at the moment. Not when she was stuck between dream and reality. Her breath hitched again as he slowly filled her core, her lips parting as she almost whimpered his name.

Like this, he could whisper kisses along her clavicle and neck. Touch her with a reverence the waking hours couldn’t reveal. It was everything. She was everything. Something he still reeled from. This was his biggest deceit. Perhaps because he was trying to fool himself in the process.

Even when he’d planned to have her like this, he had imagined a number of things. Things to sate the darkness that had festered inside of him. Instead, he met her with a slow, steady pace. Every kiss and touch was like a prayer against her flesh.

“You do things to me, love,” he breathed against her skin. “Things I never thought possible.” It was so much easier when he knew she wasn’t aware. Knew she couldn’t hurt him. “You’re in my head…my skin…” She was invading his senses, and he couldn't stop himself. Not when there were no repercussions. “I can barely sleep without you…”

Soft sighs and breaths of pleasure left her lips. Unintelligible mutterings that showed just how much sleep was winning over her conscious mind.

Thinking thr word 'love' wouldn't be new. Some of her dreams included sweet words and praise. This was just par for the course. Her mind sought what she was positive she would never get in the waking world.

He couldn’t even process that he’d promised to show her what he’d do to her. What he was doing. Where he often lost himself to harsh thrusts and pain, this was a whole different level of it. Because he didn’t deserve it. Didn’t deserve for her to want him like that.

“It was all so easy before you became…everything,” he spoke in the smallest breath. Even taking up the smallest space, those words would haunt him. She could never feel more than lust for him.

Even half asleep, a sigh of his name left her lips as he built her up slowly but surely with those thrusts. He felt so good. Unable to keep thoughts from sliding across the bond in her mostly asleep state, she didn't know that the half-finished thought from before would whisper through both of them. Slurred. Unfocused.

Like he was...made to fit me... A soft whimper of a moan left her, and her hips arched slightly. Her body responded as her mind started to sink a bit deeper into the haze.

Those words had shivers spider through his every limb. He couldn’t blame the lust, even in her dream state. It was all she could ever hold for him. She’d told him as much before everything got so complicated. He reveled at the thought that she was made for him. It explained how delicious this was with her. How easily even in sleep she responded to him. He could explain it through conditioning. That that was all it was, an ingrained response between their bodies.

“Just for you,” he promised back. He might as well have been made for her.

A whimper of a moan left her again, her breaths becoming a little more uneven as he built her up. With how sensitive her body was, she wasn't likely to last that much longer. Especially without the conscious effort to try and hold out for the both of them.

At least while like this she could pretend that there could be something more. He had said he didn't think himself capable of love. After years of torture and torment, she would take what she could get.

Every dip of his hip took more than pleasure from him. That feel of her around him, the way she arched and met his thrusts in that deep state of slumber. He wondered what raced through her mind. If it weren't for his name falling off her lips here and there, he might have wondered who she thought of as he slowly filled her. His breathing shallow and ragged.

"Oh Hermione," he groaned into her hair, concealing the mix of pain and pleasure that contorted his features. This was more painful than anything he'd done. He was teasing himself with something he'd never have, could never have.

In her dreams, she was being cherished, loved for who she was rather than what she could offer. Valued just because she was simply her It was a beautiful lie that her dreams wove for her. Likely due to how tenderly he took care of her in the bath. Because he couldn't possibly be this tender anywhere but inside of her dreams.

Another sigh of pleasure left her lips, her breaths wavering. It would only take a little more to tip her back over the edge.

Even like this he knew her tells. The soft hitches in her breathing, tiny sounds that told him exactly how close she was to coming apart for him. Perhaps she wasn't as much of a sucker for pain as he was that she could come like this. From being cherished with every kiss and thrust. There was no way he could give her the memories, not without obliterating them from her mind. His chest felt devoured by darkness. When had he lost touch with reality that he would risk everything like this?

The pleasure that built had her shiver, tremble from the edge of overstimulation that made this next climax almost painful with the pleasure to it. It had her whimpering in pleasure, one hand gripping the bedding under her. Unintelligible muttering left her lips on another sigh, too slurred to make out what she was saying in that more asleep than awake state that she was in.

Draco buried his lips into her shoulder to stifle the cry she was forcing out of him. That clench of her threatened to swallow him whole. It borderlined on pain, not unlike the gaping hole he felt in his chest. That void he had shielded himself with, transforming into something more visceral. Rather than thrust through it, he held himself there, deep inside of her. He could feel himself jerk and spill against those milking contractions of her inner walls. The words he spoke against her skin were a blur. Whether he thought them or spoke them, he didn't question. Not when even he couldn't hear them. Didn't want to. A statement that needed to die on his tongue and remain like the rubble and ash he often left in his wake.

Her body slowly relaxed more under him, her cheeks lightly flushed with pleasure. A blissful and pleasure-filled smile curved her lips as her hand slowly let go of the bedding. The witch remained completely oblivious to the inner turmoil that her husband went through, that she would likely go through on her own later.

This was a mess—such a wondrous and chaotic mess. For a moment, he just lay there with her, petting her without leaving her. Hell, he'd spend the entire night inside of her if he could. Slowly, he pulled away and reached for his wand. With a small wave, he cleaned them up and settled beside her, tucking her into his chest, his nose buried in her chestnut locks.

Curling in against him, she nestled into his chest with very little hesitation. One arm wrapped around him as she sighed, breathing in the smell of him and seeming to relax even further, not stirring more than that. Her breathing got even deeper as she fell into a more restful sleep.